People Briefs
People Briefs
Lorin Robert, from Chuuk, was sworn in as the deputy secretary of External Affairs by Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court Chief Justice Andon Amaraich in late May in Pohnpei. President Leo Falcam was on hand to congratulate Robert.
Palau’s Temmy Shmull was recently sworn into office as President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.’s Minister of State. Shmull, chief of staff to Palau’s last President, Kuniwo Nakamura , sailed through his confirmation hearing in the Senate, despite the Senate’s caustic relationship with the new president, who along with Nakamura and others was sued recently for over-spending a Senate-approved budget in 1995.
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With the recent naming of Biram Stege as Secretary of Education, and Seiko Shoniber as Secretary of Finance, the Marshall Islands has tripled the number of women running government ministries. Marie Maddisonat Foreign Affairs was the lone woman at the helm of a government ministry for several years. Stege and Shoniber also sit on the board of directors that in the past year has revamped the country’s Social Security Administration that audit reports showed was seriously mismanaged during the late 1990s.
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American surfer Cory Lopez won the Billabong Pro Tahiti surfing event in mid-May in Teahupoo, Tahiti. He beat another American C.J. Hobgood to take home the $30,000 first prize.
Beth Lischeron has taken over as the new executive director for the British Columbia, Canada-based Pacific People’s Partnership. The organization publishes Tok Blong Pasifik, a magazine focusing on environmental, social and political challenges facing Pacific Islanders. She said that PPP, with support of the Canadian government, is continuing to sponsor an international indigenous intern program that sends Canadian First Nation youth to partner organizations in the Pacific. PPP also brings Pacific youth to Canada for exchanges.
The Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia has named Jack Fritz as Speaker for his seventh consecutive term. Fritz is from Chuuk State. The Congress’ Vice Speaker is Claude Phillip from Kosrae.
Nauru’s new government, headed by Prime Minister Lagumot Harris, has named a new management team for Air Nauru, following the recent grounding of the airline in Australia. Ken McDonald , an experienced Australian airline industry official, is the new chairman and chief executive officer, replacing Felix Kun and Owen Coughlan, who held the two positions previously. Captain Tim Gilfillan, formerly flight operations manager, was named general manager. Gilfillan said plans are underway to "increase and modernize the Air Nauru fleet."
Guam Congressman Robert A. Underwood announced that the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Contest is Paulo Madlangbayan, a 10th grader at Simon Sanchez High School. His "island sunset" sketch is representing Guam alongside artwork of other states and territories on display in the Capitol Building’s corridor gallery in Washington, D.C. He and uncle Jessie Montellano traveled to Washington in June courtesy of Continental Micronesia for a Congressional reception honoring the artists.
Tan Holdings President Willie Tan says that candidates seeking office in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas election this November should be opening a dialogue with the business community in an effort to nurture and develop existing CNMI companies. He was responding to criticism from Republican Party chairman Joseph Reyes, who indicated that special interest motives were behind the formation of the new Covenant Party, headed by House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, previously a manager for one of Tan Holdings’ operations. "With the economy as bad as it is, our elected leaders need all the help they can get to recreate a climate where business can expand," said Tan, whose companies inject $26 million annually into the local economy in taxes and fees, and another $50 million in payroll, and purchases of goods and services.
American Samoan Command Sergeant Major Ioakimo Falaniko was awarded the annual "Meritorious Service Award" from the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) in May. The award is presented each year to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Asian Pacific Americans. Congressman Faleomavaega Eni was on hand to congratulate Falaniko.
Photo: Floyd K. Takeuchi
