(Tumon, Guam) The Guam Visitors Bureau incoming board of directors held their annual meeting today and elected Milton Morinaga as its chairman. Morinaga is the Managing Director for PHR Ken Micronesia Inc. The board also elected Monte Mesa, as the 12th member of the Board and Vice Chairman, Theresa Arriola, Secretary, and Sam Shinohara, Treasurer.

Morinaga has served as a tourism executive for over 38 years in Hawaii, Saipan and Guam and possesses substantial knowledge in keeping a vibrant and successful tourism business. Morinaga has served as GVB’s Japan Market Committee Chair and has spent most of his career in developing, managing and supporting international marketing efforts in various destinations, especially Japan.

“Guam’s tourism industry has experienced great success over the last several years,” Chairman Morinaga said. “I am humbled by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me and thank them for this opportunity to lead GVB’s Board. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the our partners, GVB’s outstanding management team and dedicated employees as we continue to make Guam a better place to live, work & visit.”

The other members of the GVB board of directors are Bart Jackson, Young Hong, Eduardo Calvo, Katarina Sgro, Mayor Robert Hofmann, Brad Kloppenburg, Tak Takano, and Satoru Murata. Mr. William Nault has been appointed by Governor Eddie Baza Calvo to join GVB’s Board and is awaiting legislative confirmation.

At the same meeting, the GVB Board elected the following Directors to serve as Chairpersons of the various advisory committees:

Young Hong - Visitor Safety & Satisfaction

Bart Jackson - Korea Market, Russia & New Markets

Sam Shinohara - Greater China, Research

Mayor Robert Hofmann - Destination Management, North America & Pacific

Brad Kloppenburg - Membership & Community Outreach

Milton Morinaga - Japan Market

Theresa Arriola - Culture & Heritage

Katarina Sgro - Sports & Events