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. Alexander A. Sablan
CTSI 
Vice President, Tan Holdings Corporation
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 has three children Amanda, Kanani, and Sean.

 

Vice President: Christopher A. Concepcion
Delta Air Lines
Inside Sales Representative
Contact Christopher A. Concepcion

Christopher Attao Concepcion is the Inside Sales Representative for Saipan and Palau with Delta Air Lines.   He joined Delta, then know as Northwest Airlines, in 2007 and began attending chamber meetings soon thereafter.  Prior to his employment with Delta, Chris taught junior English at Kagman High School.

Chris current serves on the CNMI Scholarship Board and is an active member of the Marianas March Against Cancer committee. Heholds a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Idaho and is married to Natsu Komeiji Concepcion.

 

 

Treasurer: Vincent J. Seman
Century Insurance, Inc
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: Nola K. Hix
Xerox Corporation
Services & Solutions Executive
Contact Nola K. Hix

Nola Hix serves as your Services & Solutions Executive for Xerox Corporation on Saipan.  She began her career in the radio industry for Sorensen Media Group (Power99) as both an on-air personality when she was 19 with the transition to business account manager when she turned 21.  Prior to Xerox, she was a Marketing Coordinator for both major CNMI telecommunications carriers IT&E, and Docomo Pacific. Her responsibilities include office operations, business solutions, & marketing for the CNMI region. She has currently held this position as of February this year after her departure in the Telecommunications Industry for over 6 years.

Nola serves on the Northern Marianas Football Association as a member of the Women’s Soccer Committee, and spearheads Operation Homefront Support for the NMI Troops with the American Red Cross. She is an active member in the local community as she has hosts and participates in several events and community projects throughout her career in the private sector.

She’s an active member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce as she been a chamber member for over 4 years, and is currently on the Events & Environmental Committee.

Shortly after retaining her position at Xerox she married Benjamin Petersburg of the CNMI Public Defender’s Office this year in March.

Directors:

Director: Greg Moretti
Pacific Marine Resource Institute (PMRI)
Executive Director
Contact Greg Moretti

Greg Moretti is the Executive Director of the Pacific Marine Resources institute (PMRI), a non-profit scientific research institute, and is an adjunct faculty member at the Northern Marianas College. Greg is currently the co-chair of the Chamber Environmental Committee. A native of San Francisco, CA, Greg first came to Saipan in 2005 to work as a Marine Protected Areas Program Coordinator at the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife.

He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University in 2002. Greg’s expertise focuses on Marine resources management, however he also has experience working as a marine biology and chemistry teacher, a management trainer, a social scientist, a Spanish translator, and as a federal law enforcement officer. He also enjoys doing work as a part-time photographer and videographer.

Director: Kevin McCale
Docomo Pacific
Account Executive-Business Sales
Contact Kevin McCale

Kevin McCale came to Saipan in the summer of 2002 to complete his last two years of high school at Marianas High School.j Kevin is marrid to  Jane McCale, and is a father to two wonderful children. His many interests include golf, soccer, computer applications, community involvement and business networking. 

Kevinhas held his current position of Account Executive – Business Sales at DOCOMO PACIFIC Saipan for over five years. His responsibilities consist of (but are not limited to) the management and growth of Corporate and Government accounts within the CNMI. 

In the past, Kevin has worked as an Assistance Clerk with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a Postal Operations Manager with Pacific Quick Print & Post and a Stage Technician with SandCastle Saipan.  Kevin has been a part of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce for five years and is an active member of the SCC Events Committee,

Director: Velma Ann M. Palacios
IT&E
Manager of Engineering and Plant Technical Services
Contact Velma Ann M. Palacios

Velma Ann Palacios is the Manager of Engineering and Plant Technical Services at IT&E. Velma began her career at IT&E in 1999 when it was known as Verizon. Throughout the years, she has held various positions in the company and has been the Engineering Manager since 2006. Prior to joining IT&E, Velma was employed by the CNMI Government as an Engineer. She also taught math for NMC’s Adult Basic Education Program as an adjunct faculty member.

Velma has served the community in various capacities: judging forensics competitions, debates, science fairs, and other educational events and mentoring high school students. She served as a member of different organizations and boards, such as the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Kagman Komunidat Association, Mount Carmel School to name a few. She is presently a member of the Board of Directors of Brilliant Star School.

Velma graduated from Marquette University, Milwaukee Wisconsin with a B.S. in Engineering. She also graduated from Hawaii Pacific University, Oahu Hawaii, with an MBA.

Velma is married to Paul W. Camacho. They have three children: RyAnne, Puti’on and Paul William-II.

Director: Rosemond B. Santos
Blue Continent Communications, Inc. (KKMP)
President
Contact Rosemond B. Santos

Rosemond Blanco Santos is a native daughter of the NMI and the President and Owner of Blue Continent Communications, Inc., dba, KKMP Radio Station. KKMP is a community based radio station and is the only locally owned and operated radio station in the CNMI and provides both Radio Broadcasting and Media Consulting. Prior to entering the radio industry, Rosemond was the Chief Prosecutor, served as a House Member and Chair of Judiciary and Governmental Operations in the 16th Legislature, a legal counsel for the House of Representatives, a prosecutor, and a Legislative Assistant of the CNMI Legislative Bureau.

Rosemond is happily married to Gerhard “Gary” R. Sword, the Vice President of KKMP. Rosemond is the youngest child of Jose Terlaje Santos and Maria Luisa Blanco Santos, the founder and proprietor of Santos Acres, and Rosemond's greatest inspiration.

 

Director: Melvin A. Tenorio
Marianas Pacific Distributors
Sales Manager
Contact Melvin A. Tenorio

Melvin joined Marianas Pacific Distributors, Inc in January 2003 as a Brand Manager for Brystol Myers Squib (Enfamil baby products). Just after a year into the job, Melvin was moved over to be the Sales Manager for MarPac’s beverage division and has since maintained this position.

Prior to joining MarPac, Melvin worked at IT&E from 1993 thru 2002 or 9 years holding positions as its Saipan Branch Supervisor from 2001 – 2002. Also under the guidance and mentorship of the Saipan Branch General Manager – Lupe Flores, Melvin was afforded the opportunity to learn the ever-changing dynamics of the Human Resources Department and became its supervisor for five (5) years, during which time he was also a part time student at Northern Marianas College.

Melvin has been an active member of the Saipan Chamber since joining Marpac. Although not holding any official positions with the SVES PTA, Melvin is an active member of its events committee. This committee has successfully organized events to raise funds and also supports some of the upgrades and upkeep of the children's school playgrounds.

Melvin loves and enjoys healthy sports activities and is a member of the Marianas Pacific Paddlers canoe club. Melvin also recently took up Mountain biking and although he always comes in last during many of the fundraising races on island, he enjoys the exercise.

Melvin is married to Loraine T. Tenorio and has three children: Vance, Chase, and Naysa.

 

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.