Symposium for 'doing business with the military'

Symposium for 'doing business with the military'

Saturday, November 14, 2009
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter

Businesses and other entities that want to avail of contracting and business opportunities with the military are encouraged to attend Wednesday's symposium sponsored by the Office of U.S. Defense Representative for the CNMI, Guam, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Similar events have also been held in Guam in light of the $15-billion, multi-year military buildup resulting from the relocation of some 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam, plus some 17,000 family members, and up to 20,000 federal construction workers.

The “Guam/CNMI Military Contracting Opportunities Symposium” will be held from 8am to 5pm at the Saipan World Resort in Susupe.

It is being co-hosted by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, and the CNMI government.

Deputy Commerce Secretary Sixto Igisomar said yesterday the symposium is “important” for anyone wanting to do business with the military.

Topics will include U.S. military contracting, business opportunities available through military construction projects, and the military buildup.

Capt. Peter S. Lynch, commanding officer of NAVFAC Marianas and a captain at the U.S. Navy's Civil Engineer Corps, will be presenting an update and opportunities on the Guam military buildup.

Roy Tsutsui, executive director of the Joint Region Marianas, will be presenting on the Office of U.S. Defense Representative for the CNMI, Guam, Palau and the FSM.

Another resource person will be Vera Topasna, program manager of the Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center, who will give a program overview.

Other speakers include Carl Peterson, who will present the Guam Chamber of Commerce's perspective on the military buildup; Rosalinda Watson, contracting officer at Fleet Industrial Supply Center Detachment Marianas; James Martinez, executive director of the Guam Contractors Association; Lt. Cdr. Darren Hale, Pacific Command plans officer; and Cdr. Keith Barton, assistant operations officer with NAVFAC Marianas.

Incoming Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Douglas Brennan and incoming vice president Jim Arenovski will be making a presentation on “What the CNMI can offer the military and prime contractors.” Jesse Sablan of the CNMI Contractors Association will also be introducing the organization at the symposium.

A complete copy of the program and the registration form can be accessed at the CNMI Department of Commerce website, www.commerce.gov.mp.