Our publications have been around a long time. Guam Business Magazine launched in 1983 and the Marianas Business Journal in 2003. 

In those days, there was no uploading of the magazine to the printer, as there is today. When I joined Glimpses in 2000, I caught the tail end of what were called “flats.” I edited the proof of Guam Business Magazine with a grease pencil — an early version of a Sharpie. 

I first visited Saipan in the summer of 1993, before I moved to Guam later that year. 

When I joined Glimpses in 2000, I began traveling to Saipan for business as well as pleasure. Since I made the most of any and every visit I attended Saipan Chamber lunches, and any event that coincided with a visit, and I remember Jay Jones as president. 

I became publisher in 2005 — when the Journal was two years old and inherited the responsibility of hand carrying a CD to our printer in Saipan. I would arrive, collect my car at the airport, and head to our printer. We would fix any last-minute changes right there and right then, with me sitting beside the graphic artist. 

After that, I’d drive to whatever Saipan hotel I was staying in, because at that time tourism in Saipan was booming and finding a room for the night was tough. 

I also regularly attended the chamber’s annual dinner, typically one of about 10 attendees from Guam, and I remember his recognition as the Chamber Business Person of the year in 2001. In those days I had a small Sony camera, which fitted into an evening bag, rather like my phone does today.

One year the chamber changed the gala date, which would have been fine except it coincided with Chinese New Year, and my chances of securing a hotel room became slimmer. 

Triple J Saipan agreed to host me for two nights at the Surfrider Resort — which hadn’t yet opened. I was warned there was no room service or a full team of staff. I said I’d willingly make my own bed, and the deal was done. I can claim to be one of the very first guests at the Surfrider.  

I therefore have something in common with Jay. Though I didn’t actually live in Saipan, I have fond memories of my time there. Through the years, the Journal has also reached out to Jay to contribute to stories on the auto industry — sometimes at short notice. So I’m grateful for his willingness to take a call, and ability to evaluate the latest challenge to the industry. I know he is proud of the team he has built at theTriple J Auto Group. 

Congratulations Jay!

And to our readers: please enjoy reading about our other distinguished Nominees, whose careers and endeavors have contributed to the betterment of the economies of the islands and our daily lives.