Chamber Leadership

Elections are held every November for Officers and Directors of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce. Member votes are apportioned to their annual dues contribution. Members of the Chamber who have served on the Board of Directors for at least one year are eligible to run for the position of President. A nine member Board of Directors governs the Chamber. The membership elects members to the Board annually to serve for terms of one calendar year for officers, and staggered two calendar year terms for directors.

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is managed by an Executive Director and a Chamber Coodinator.

President: Mr. Douglas Brennan
Microl Corporation
Contact Douglas Brennan

Doug is Vice President and General Manager of Microl Corporation. He received his BFA degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Doug started with Microl Corporation in June 1984 and has held the following positions within the company: Assistant Manager Commercial Division; Manager Toyota Parts Department; Manager Toyota Service Department; After Sales Manager (Parts, Service, Body Repair); and Vice President / Assistant General Manager.

As the representative for Microl, Doug has been a Chamber member since 2003. Doug is Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Armed Forces Committee, as well as the Chamber representative to the Governor’s Civilian-Military Task Force.

 

Vice President: Vincent J. Seman
Carlsmith Ball LLP
Contact Vincent J. Seman

Vincent J. Seman is an attorney with Carlsmith Ball in his fourth year of practice. He first obtained his license with the Hawaii bar where he worked for one year at Carlsmith’s main office before transferring to its Saipan office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of labor and employment, civil and commercial litigation, criminal defense, banking, insurance, trust and estate, and real property. 

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Vince gained valuable business experience holding simultaneous management positions for Mita Travel, GTS Construction, GTS Security, Paras Enterprises Saipan, and Herman’s Modern Bakery for over 10 years. His other work experience includes filling the role of the CNMI's Alcohol and Drug Policy Coordinator at the Office of Personnel Management, where he initiated the random drug test program for government employees. Vince also served as member of the board of regents for the Northern Marianas College for over 5 years, with his last year as its chairman. He has been a long-time volunteer for the Red Cross and other non-profit organizations. Vince was a pioneer of the outrigger canoe sport in Saipan, including bringing the annual Micronesia Outrigger Cup to Saipan in 2000 and 2003.

Vince received his B.S. in Management from Bentley College in 1994. He earned his law degree from Whittier Law School in May 2006. While in law school, Vincent clerked for the Honorable U.S. District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands Chief Judge Alex Munson and served as research assistant to Whittier Law School Professor Christine Kelton.

 

Secretary: Claudia T. Adriano
Hafa Adai Rent A Car
Consultant
Contact Claudia Adriano

Claudia is a graduate from the University of San Francisco earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. After graduating, Claudia made the Bay Area her home for the next 11 years. In that time, Claudia worked for Elma Electronic Inc., a global electronics manufacturing company, as the Lead Sales Coordinator from 1997 to 1999 and then for Vasona Management as the Property Manager for its largest apartment community from 1999 to 2008.

An avid animal lover, Claudia served as a volunteer for the East Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (EBSPCA), where she did everything from grooming and feeding to facilitating the foster care and adoption of the animals. She was also instrumental in the organization of several food drives for the Alameda County Community Food Bank for eight consecutive years.

In 2008, Claudia finally returned home to Saipan. She is a Consultant for Hafa Adai Rent A Car and concurrently serves as the Finance & Insurance Manager for Joeten Motor Company Inc. She has also held a part-time managerial position at J.C. Tenorio Enterprises Inc. Claudia continues to devote her time to volunteer in the community by regularly participating in beach cleanups, assisting the Joeten Charitable Foundation’s Families Fit For Life Walk, among other goodwill projects.

Claudia is married to Alvin C. Adriano and has three children: Christian, Elijah, and Eva.

 

Treasurer: Mr. Michael S. Johnson
Deloitte & Touche
Managing Partner
Contact Michael S. Johnson

Mike is the Managing Partner of Deloitte in Saipan and Palau and is a long-time resident of Saipan. Mike held the position of Chamber Treasurer for three consecutive terms in the early 1990’s and has been the treasurer of the Chamber since 2005.

Mike came to Saipan in 1982 after earning Masters of Business Administration (emphasis in accounting) and Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He is a certified public accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a member of the CNMI Society of Certified Public Accountants and past President of the CNMI Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants. Additionally, Mike was selected by Bishop Camacho to serve on the financial advisory committee of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa and is a past Chairman of the CNMI Board of Accountancy.

Mike is married to Betty Hamilton Johnson. They have three children, Kathleen, Sarah and Andrew. Mike participates in various sports including golf, kayaking, biking and triathlon. Mike is the current president of the Saipan Swim Club and treasurer of the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation and the Over the Reef Yacht Club.

Directors:

Director: Mr. Mark Birmingham
Marianas Cable Vision
System Manager
Contact Mark Birmingham

Mark was born and raised in Atlanta, Texas, a small town in Northeast Texas. He graduated from Baylor University with a B.B.A. in Marketing/Management. He began his career in cable television in 1982, has worked for Warner-Amex, Storer Cable, Telecable, and was the Sales Supervisor for the Little Rock, Arkansas Comcast system for nine years. He has also worked as a cable television contractor.

Mark moved from Little Rock to Guam in 1996 to work for Guam Cable TV. Marianas CableVision bought Guam Cable TV in 1997 and Mark was brought on as Marketing Manager. He remained in this position until late 2004 when he was named System Manager for the CNMI. He continued as Marketing Manager for Guam and Saipan until March 2006.

Mark has been active in several organizations since moving to Saipan. He is a board member for NMI Crime Stoppers and is a member of the Advisory Board for the NMI Salvation Army post on Saipan. He is also the Membership Chairman for the local Boy Scouts of America troop. He has assisted with the marketing efforts of several local social and service organizations as well as private businesses. Mark is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and the Armed Forces Committee. In addition, Mark is the MCV Broadband representative to HANMI and MVA.

Mark lives in Gualo Rai with his wife, Dolores, and children Clark and Amaris.

 

Director: Ayako Matsumoto
Pacific Eagle Enterprises, Inc
President
Contact Ayako Matsumoto

Ayako Matsumoto is Vice President of Pacific Eagle Enterprises, Inc. and Business Development Manager of Flame Tree TV/Visitors Channel.

She graduated from Konan Women's University in Kobe-city, Hyogo, Japan, where she majored in English Literature. During college, she worked at Dunlop Sports Enterprises, a coordinating company of Japan Professional Golf Tournament (JPGA) in Japan. After graduating from college, she then started work as an assistant in the Account Executive Department at DENTSU Inc. a large advertising company in Osaka, Japan .

Beginning in 1984, Aya worked for a few years with Mr. Martin P. Kuehnert, who owns International Sports Management and Consulting Company in Japan, as an assistant. She prepared professional baseball game records for his sports commentary and coordinated the hiring of sports players from the US in Japan. She also worked with ESPN at golf tournaments in Japan.

After marrying her husband, Willie, they decided to move to Saipan and established Pacific Eagle Enterprises Inc. in June 1987. Pacific Eagle is a trading company and hotel supply company, and is also engaged in research and coordination for Japanese media and commercial films. The company also organizes group event s, such as the peace ceremony with JTB group.

Since July, 2009, Aya has also worked at Flame Tree TV in connection with Channel 3, the Japanese Tourist Channel.

Aya is a board member of the Japanese Society of NMI and has been a member of other organizations including Beautify CNMI, Commonwealth Women's Golf Association, and MINA. She previously taught at the Japanese Community School and participated in the Micro Games in 2002.

Aya and Willie have two girls, Mari and Rika.

 

Director: Jolene G. Torres
Marianas International Travel Agency
Managing Director
Contact Jolene G. Torres

Jolene G. Torres is the Managing Director of Marianas International Travel Agency (MITA Travel).

Since her return to Saipan in early 2009, Jolene has served the community in the roles including: current officer of the Board of Directors for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), past officer of the Garapan Elementary School (GES) PTA, and volunteer for American Red Cross, MINA and Beautify CNMI. Jolene has also been an active member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

Her previous professional experience includes six years as a Human Resources Administrator and four years as a Project Coordinator for leading land surveying firms in the Las Vegas Valley. Jolene holds a BA in Liberal Studies from California State University, East Bay. Jolene and her husband Joe have three children and live in Gualo Rai.

 

Director: Mr. Alexander A. Sablan
Saipan Shipping Company
Marketing Manager
Contact Alexander A. Sablan

Alex has been involved with the Chamber for nearly 20 years.

Alex was the Chamber Representative for the regional Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) forum with Guam delegates and has served as Chairman of both the Government Relations and Economic Development Committee (GREL) and the Events Committee. 

Alex is or has served as a Chairman or Board Member for the following organizations: member, Commonwealth Cancer Association; member, Guam Chamber of Commerce Maritime Affairs Committee; member, Board of Directors for the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI); member, Advisory Board for the CNMI Public Radio KRNM 88/89.1 FM; Chairman for the Past Presidents Council of the Rotary Club of Saipan; President for the Association of Seaport Tenants and Operators of Saipan, Inc. (ASTOSI); and board member of the CNMI Contractors Association. 

He also previously served as the CNMI representative to the American Cancer Society Guam/CNMI Presence Unit Board of Directors; Chairman, 2000 American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event; President, Rotary Club of Saipan; board member, Rotary Club of Saipan; and Member of the Kagman Komunidat Association.

For the past fifteen years, Alex has held management positions in the transportation industry in Saipan and Guam. He currently works at the Saipan Shipping Company as its Marketing/Administration Manager. Prior to this, he was an owner’s representative for a multi-diversified transportation company: heading Seabridge Micronesia as Managing Director; Pacific Air Inc., General Sales Agent for Northwest Airlines Passenger and Cargo Sales, as General Manager-Saipan and Micronesia; and Saipan Crew Boats and Saipan Pilots, as General Manager. Alex has also been the General Manager of Ambyth Shipping in Saipan. 

Alex is married to Nora Mae Reyes Sablan and has children Amanda, Kanani, and Sean.

Director: Mr. David M. Sablan, Sr.
Century Insurance Company, Ltd.
President
Contact David M. Sablan, Sr.

David started his business career in 1952 with Atkins, Kroll in Guam as Steamship Traffic Clerk. In 1953, he was transferred to the Automotive Division of Atkins, Kroll as the Sales Manager of the General Motors Distributorship, a job he held until 1961.

After that, he joined the Bank of Hawaii in Guam, initially as Loan Administrator and then as Assistant Manager until 1965.
In 1965, he rejoined Atkins, Kroll and was instrumental in establishing the Saipan branch of Atkins, Kroll. David was the first General Manager of the Company. The Saipan branch of Atkins, Kroll was incorporated as Microl Corporation in 1968. In 1974, when Atkins, Kroll was sold to Inchcape, he was promoted to President, a position he held until being named Chairman of the Board in 1985. He moved to California in 1987 and established a trading company.

He joined Governor Lorenzo Guerrero’s Administration in 1990 as Special Assistant to the Governor for Planning and Budgeting and was responsible for preparing the annual budget package for the CNMI Government as well as for preparing the budget presentation to the U.S. Congressional Oversight Committee. He resigned in January 1993

David has also held other government posts, such as: member, Pacific Asia Travel Association; member, Board of Directors; member, Strategic Economic Development Council; Chairman of the Board, Marianas Visitors Authority (serving MVA for 20 Years in total); Chairman, 3rd Annual Micronesian Business Council; member, Governor’s Economic Advisory Council; and member, CNMI Aviation Task Force.
David’s involvement in tourism began in 1968 when he organized and became the President of Pacific Micronesia Corporation (PMC), the first 200 room hotel, Saipan Beach Inter-Continental Hotel. PMC was jointly owned by David, with Japan Travel Bureau, Inc., Keio Plaza Hotel and Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation. In 1984, David sold his hotel interest. Tasi Tours and Transportation was another company he established in 1976 with Japan Travel Bureau, Inc. He was the President of the Company for nine years until he sold his interest in 1985.

David joined the Tan Holdings Corporation in 1993, where he presently holds several key executive positions including insurance, hotels, travel and tourism, logistics handling and wholesaling: President, Century Insurance Co., Century Travel, and Century Tours; Vice-President: CTSI Logistics, Asia-Pacific Airlines, and Cosmos Distributing; Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors: Asia Pacific Hotels, owning company of Fiesta Resort & Spa, Saipan Grand Hotel, and Century Hotel.

David has been actively involved in various community groups and associations including Saipan Rotary Club, Rotary International, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Commission on Federal Laws, Employer Support for the National Guard and Reserve, Fund - Raising Committee for Reconstruction of Kristo Rai Church, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Executive Director

Richard A. Pierce
Saipan Chamber of Commerce

Richard began as Saipan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director in March 2011, and has experience within the SCC as a past Board Director in 1996 and 1997, and as the SCC President in 2001 and 2002. He served as SCC’s Chairman of the Government Relations Committee during a span of three years.

Originally from the state of Washington, and after having attended Columbia Basin College and Washington State University, Richard moved to Saipan in 1980. After working for Joe Ten Enterprises and Jones & Guerrero, in 1984 Richard became CEO of Saipan Manufacturers, Inc., Chairman of GIA and Executive Director of the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association. He has worked as a special assistant for four CNMI Governors from 1995 through 2008. Richard is part owner of two existing CNMI companies and has a communications consulting firm.

His accomplishments include the establishment of a trade organization with exports of $1 billion annually, legislative experience both locally and in the U.S. Congress, author and creator of the CNMI Drug and Alcohol Workplace Policy, creation of an M.O.U. between the CNMI and U.S. DEA creating the CNMI Joint Drug Task Force, created and chaired the Excellence 2000 Partnership and the Northern Marianas Alliance for Safety and Health and developed the M.O.U. creating the Chinese Economic Development Authority.

Richard was a Board Member of the Governor’s Strategic Economic Development Council from 2004 to 2008, and was a Board Member of the CNMI Free Trade Zone Board and the CNMI Minimum Wage Review Commission.

He’s coached the CNMI Men’s National Basketball team, officiated over a thousand games in the mainland, Saipan, Fiji and Western Samoa, was a Rotarian and is an avid golfer.

Richard is married to Marian Aldan-Pierce and has two children; Richard (Conno) and Rebecca.