House confirms Pai as OPA chief

The House of Representatives yesterday confirmed the nomination of Michael Pai to serve as the Commonwealth’s public auditor.

The House members voted unanimously to approve Pai’s six-year appointment. The Senate is expected to follow suit today. The House vote comes a day after Pai appeared in a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation and the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, where he received strong support from lawmakers, colleagues, and community leaders.

During the confirmation hearing, Pai said he will keep the Office of the Public Auditor “independent, factual, and fair to all concerned.”

In a resolution, the House members note Pai’s broad experience as an accountant and auditor, as well as his active involvement in the local community.

“Mr. Pai’s extensive work experience in the field of financing and auditing, coupled with his certification as a certified public accountant, manifests that he possesses the vital credentials to serve as public auditor for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands,” the resolution states.

Pai has been a certified public accountant for more than 20 years. He attended the University of Hawaii, where he completed degrees in engineering and business administration.

He is currently a shareholder of Universal Air Supply, an air-conditioning and refrigeration wholesale and retail company in Guam; Plexus International, a training and quality management systems firm in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Saipan Sunset Cruise Inc, a local boat cruise tours company.

In addition, he serves as treasurer of Chong’s Corporation, which offers air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment and services. The company, Pai admitted, conducts “a significant amount of business with the government.”

Pai pledges to give up his interests in Saipan Sunset Cruise, but is not clear about Chong’s Corporation. He maintains he is not involved in day-to-day operations of the company, which is owned by his wife and her mother. He also vows to recuse himself from any possible procurement case involving Chong’s and not to use government time and resources for any work related to the company.

Pai is also an active in community activities, serving as 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.