Mike Pai named to OPA chief post

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday announced the appointment of Michael Pai to serve as the new CNMI public auditor.

Pai, a certified public accountant for more than 20 years, replaces Michael Sablan, who earlier resigned from his post to work in the private sector.

“I have very high confidence in Mike [Pai]’s high level of independence and integrity for this position,” said Fitial. “Mike has an immaculate background and I expect him to bring more accountability and internal cost controls to our government.”

Pai accepted the governor’s offer on Tuesday. “I consider it an honor. Thank you for the offer. I am happy to accept,” he was quoted as saying in a media release issued by the Governor’s Office yesterday.

Sablan, who led the Office of the Public Auditor for seven and a half years, said he was pleased with the governor’s choice for his replacement.

“I have known Mike [Pai] professionally and personally since I returned to the CNMI in 1989. We have served on various civic groups and had occasion to work on various finance-related matters over the last 20 years. He is a professional and he is very well respected. I think we will do well with him as public auditor,” Sablan said in an interview.

Pai attended the University of Hawaii, where he completed degrees in engineering and business administration. He has spent his entire career to date in the private business sector and has never previously served in the public sector.

Before putting up his own accounting firm in 1986, Pai worked for a number of corporations and an accounting firm, including the Hawaiian Telephone Company, Micronesian Telecommunications Corp., and Ernst & Young.

He is currently involved in several businesses, including Chong’s Corporation and Sunset Cruise Inc. on Saipan, Plexus International in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Universal Air Supply Inc. on Guam.

Active in community life, Pai is a member of the CNMI Board of Accountancy, the NMI Judiciary Historical Society, and the Pet Assistance & Welfare Services group. Pai was also a president and a board member of the Rotary Club of Saipan, and was a board member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

Pai will serve in an acting capacity until confirmed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.