Promotions and career moves by the people you know — and those you should

Blesam

Roxanne Siual Blesam, has been appointed CEO of Palau International Coral Reef Center.

She was previously chief of staff to Vice President and minister of justice for Palau and formerly CEO of the Environmental Quality Protection Board of Palau, having served as a compliance specialist at the Environmental Quality Protection Board prior to that.

Blesam began her career in public service as an administrative officer at the Ministry of Justice in 2004. Prior to that she was a legal assistant at Berman O’Connon & Mann Law Office in Guam.

She holds a 2000 bachelors of arts in political science from the University of Guam and a 2005 master’s in environmental law from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia.

Blesam is a 2012 alumna of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Environment and Security in the Pacific Island Region a 2013 alumna of the International Visitors Leadership Program for women leaders in the Pacific, supported by the U.S. Embassy to Palau funded by the U.S. Department of State and in 2014 completed the Australian Leadership Awards Program for Integrated Sustainability, supported by the Australian Department of Foreign

Additionally, Blesam completed the 2015 Executive Leadership Development Program of the U.S. Graduate School Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Interior and completed Diplomatic Training for Junior and Mid-career Diplomats from the Pacific Countries at the Clingendael Institute of International Relations in the Netherlands in 2021.

She has served as chairperson of the Parent Teacher Association, Maris Stella School, worked on the 2021 Maris Stella Annual Fundraising Carnival which raised sufficient funds to supplement the school’s operating budget, and also was a member of the school board.

GTA has made the following appointments:

Katigbak

Jason Katigbak as vice president of finance.

He previously was director of business optimization at IP&E Holdings LLC and formerly chief accounting Officer for Citadel Pacific Ltd., holding other positions at the group from 2016, and in 2012 and 2013.

Katigbak holds a 1996 bachelor’s in commerce and management and a 1996 bachelor’s in accounting, both from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba in Manila; a 2012 masters of business administration from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., a 2019 certificate in financial planning and analysis from the University of California Berkeley Extension program and a 2023 doctorate of business administration from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb.

Katibak is a member of the board of Junior Achievement of Guam and a member of the Guam Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants and the Guam Society of CPAs. He served as president of the latter two organizations, and as president of the United Airlines Employee Association of Guam in 2015 and 2016.

Cassidy

Sharon Cassidy as director of business development.

She previously was responsible for business development in Guam at Calian Advanced Technologies and formerly director of Carrier Wholesale at Docomo Pacific.

Cassidy has held various appointments in business development and sales, beginning her career as a travel consultant for sales with Pacific Micronesia Tours/Japan Travel Bureau in 1990.

She holds a 1995 bachelor’s in business administration in both international business and real estate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and among her certifications holds licenses in property and casualty insurance and life and health insurance, as well as secret security clearance.

Cassidy is an executive board member of the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association and a member of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association Marianas, where she was formerly vice president

Perez

Michelle Catahay Perez as director of community engagement.

She formerly was senior community relations manager at GTA. She started her career with GTA in December 2011 as a marketing and communications specialist. In November 2019, Perez was appointed community relations manager for GTA.

Prior to joining GTA, Perez worked for Sorensen Media Group, which did business as Pacific News Center and KUAM News until 2010.

Perez holds a 2005 bachelor’s in communications from the University
of Guam.

Bank of Guam announced the following appointments and promotions.

Barcinas

Edward Barcinas has been appointed vice president/director of the Project Management Office. Barcinas previously served as the vice president/director of Customer Experience Management since 2019.

With 17 years of banking experience, Barcinas began his career in 2006 as a customer service associate (teller) at the Malesso Branch. He has served in roles such as Bank Secrecy Act Suspicious Activity Report investigator, high risk officer, customer service supervisor, Familia Contact Center manager, Tamuning Branch manager, Customer Engagement officer, Familia Ambassador Program manager, and director of Learning and Development.

Lubuag

Elizabeth Lubuag has been appointed to the position of vice president/Sustainability and Social Impact manager. She previously served as the vice president/director of PMO and has more than 14 years of experience at the bank, starting as a management trainee, and subsequently appointed Human Resources utility officer, eBanking officer, product development Officer and PMO manager.

Lubuag holds a bachelor’s in communication with a minor in English from the University of Guam and is currently enrolled at the Pacific Coast Banking School.

Berg

Conrad Berg has been promoted from Innovation Business partner to vice president/director of Underwriting.   has been with the bank for 10 years, having served as Loan Support assistant manager, Familia Contact Center manager, and Oracle Support administrator. He holds a 2000 bachelor of business administration in marketing from the University of Guam.

Borja

Marlene Borja has been promoted from credit officer, Retail Banking Group to vice president/credit manager. Borja has been with the bank for nearly 19 years, starting as a teller with the Andersen and Mangilao branches and serving as Loan Support associate, Loan Support officer, and credit officer for the Mortgage Banking Group. She is a 2006 graduate of Southern High School.

Cruz

Christopher Cruz has been promoted from vice president/Relationship Banking manager to vice president/Neighboring Islands regional manager, overseeing branches in Chuuk, Kosrae, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap.

He previously served as president/CEO, and board chairman of the Pacific Islands Development Bank.

With a combined 15 years at the bank, he has served as a management trainee, credit officer, and assistant vice president/branch manager of the Pohnpei Branch.

Cruz holds a bachelor of arts in political science and a professional masters of business administration from the University of Guam. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

Dydasco

Amber Dydasco has been promoted from Customer Experience management officer to Assistant vice president/Customer Experience manager.

Dydasco has nearly 17 years of experience with the bank, having started as a customer service representative and Pilot Familia ambassador.

She currently serves on the board of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and is the chairperson for Fanachu Famalåo’an.

Ibanez

Jeffrey John Ibanez has been promoted from vice president/compliance officer V to vice president/Compliance Operations manager and Community Reinvestment Act Officer.

He joined the bank in 1994 as a management trainee and has held positions including Real Estate officer, Loan Adjustment manager, Credit officer, Saipan Branch, Credit

Review officer, Chief Audit executive, and assistant compliance manager.

Ibanez holds a bachelor’s in business management and a master’s in business administration from the University of Guam and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

Murphy

Shasta Murphy has been promoted from vice president/Hagatna branch manager to vice president/credits manager.

Murphy has nearly 25 years of experience with the bank, starting as a teller and working her way up to New Accounts associate, operations officer, roving officer, Retail Banking credit officer and Mortgage Banking credit officer.

Rabago

Meriah Kaye Rabago has been promoted from vice president/Automobile Banking Group manger to vice president/sales manager.

Rabago started with the bank in 2023 and has more than eight years of banking experience, having managed consumer, auto, and commercial loan departments. She holds a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Guam.

Quenga

Anthony Quenga has been promoted from vice president/business development officer to vice president/director of Sales and Business Development.

Quenga, who joined the bank in 2016, is the 2019 Familia Champion of the Year and holds the 2018 Exemplary Award for Customer Service. He holds a bachelor’s of business administration, a master’s of public administration, and a professional master’s from the University of Guam.

Quenga is the chairperson for the Guam Young Professionals and was recently named to Guam Business Magazine’s “40 Under Forty.”

San Nicolas

Ellie San Nicolas has been promoted from vice president/compliance manager to vice president/director of Compliance.

With 20 years of experience at the bank, she began as a customer service associate (teller) at the Mangilao Branch and later served as BSA SAR/AML investigator, compliance associate, and compliance officer.

San Nicolas holds a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Guam.

The following individuals have joined Bank of Guam.

Rosario

Angela F. Rosario was appointed vice president/director of Product – Business Segment.

She brings 19 years of telecommunications experience, previously serving as director of Product Marketing and Communications at IT&E.

Ogo

Presia Ogo was appointed senior product manager – Retail Segment. Ogo has more than 21 years’ experience in telecommunications at Docomo Pacific.

She served as senior manager of Consumer Operations, director of Customer Experience Management, and Prepaid Product owner.

She is a 2001 graduate of Guam Community College.

Palomo

Janessa Marie Palomo was appointed assistant vice president/senior product manager – Business Segment.

She previously was senior consumer sales manager and senior segment marketing manager at Docomo Pacific.

Palomo has more than 20 years of telecommunications experience.

Sablan

Claire Sablan is appointed product manager – Retail Segment.

She previously was product manager at Docomo Pacific, and formerly was marketing manager at Tumon Sands Plaza, and taught at Agana Heights Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s of arts in Elementary Education from the University of Guam.

Schaumann

Clark Schaumann has been appointed logistic & supply division manager for Smithbridge Guam.

He previously was regional country head for the ANZ bank from 2018 to 2024 in Guam, and formerly was senior audit manager.

He was the consultant to the Philips Healthcare for China market-entry strategy project in 2011.

Schaumann holds a 2005 master’s of science and a bachelor’s of accountancy from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; a 2012 master’s of business administration from the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai and a 2014 professional certificate in management from the Melbourne Business School.

He was a 2005 international exchange student at Nanjing University, studying Chinese and business and a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in China from 1999 to 2001.

Hilton Guam Resort & Spa announced the following promotions.

Villa

Glenda Villa has been promoted to director of operations.

Andre Green has been promoted to director of Front Office.

Dado

Ray Dado has been promoted to acting food & beverage director. He previously served as assistant food & beverage director.

He has been with Hilton for 25 years, and his recognitions include several Team Leader of the Quarter and 2010 Team Leader of the Year.

Ricon

Josephine Ricon has been promoted to assistant food & beverage operations manager. She was previously restaurant manager at
Roy’s Restaurant.

Ricon joined the Hilton in 2015 as supervisor at the Tree Bar and has more than 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry.  She was recognized as 2023 Team Leader of the Year.

Mason

Caroline D. Mason has been appointed manager of the Chamorro Village.

She previously was engineering coordinator for the Holiday Resort Guam and formerly operations coordinator for the Garden Villa Hotel.

Mason also held positions as Air & Sea import manager, collections manager and logistics coordinator for Unicorn Freight Inc. Guam and as supervisor for United Fisheries Corp.

Perez-Damian

Dee Perez-Damian has joined ReMax Diamond Realty as a realtor.

She previously was managing partner of TBD Distributors and formerly vice president of brand and customer experience at Docomo Pacific, where she held various appointments from 2017.

Perez-Damian was president of Perez Brothers Inc. for five years prior to that, and held earlier appointments as director of marketing for Tumon Sands Plaza and Gemkell Corp.

She holds a 2004 bachelors in communication from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif., and a 2010 masters of business administration from the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, as well as a 2017 professional diploma in digital marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute.

Punongbayan

Ubaldo “Bojo” Molina Punongbayan Jr. has been appointed international business relations and Referral Office lead at The Medical City Philippines.

He previously held various appointments at Sorensen Media Group from 2015 to 2024, including director for TV production, events and promotion, and Red Dragan Production, and non-traditional manager, and formerly was marketing director for Tango Theaters in Guam.

Sison

David Beaver & Associates of Raymond James has announced the appointment of Sapphira Sison as a client service associate. She has more than 14 years of client service experience.

Brown

Sean Edward Brown has been officially sworn in as a magistrate judge at the Guam Judicial Center.

He previously was an associate attorney with the Law Office of Louie J. Yanza and formerly an assistant attorney general with the Office of the Attorney General of Guam.

Internships that Brown completed included those with the Superior Court of Guam, the U.S. Navy and the San Diego City Attorney’s Office.

Brown holds a 2008 bachelor’s of science in law and society from the University of California, Riverside and a 2010 juris doctorate from the California Western School of Law in San Diego, Calif.

Perez

Chief Justice Robert J. Torres has appointed Attorney Andrew T. Perez as the new public guardian.

Perez was previously staff attorney at the Judiciary of Guam, and formerly attorney for the Guam Department of Revenue & Taxation. He also served as assistant attorney general at the Office of the Attorney General of Guam and legal counsel to the Guam Department of Education.

Prior to his legal career, Perez worked as a speech therapist at the Guam Department of Education.

He holds a 2000 bachelor’s in speech and hearing sciences from the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. and a 2008 juris doctorate from the Western Michigan Cooley School of Law.

Perez is vice president of the board of trustees of the Guam Law Library.