Continental’s Erwin is Business Person of the Year

Mark Erwin, president and chief executive officer of Continental Micronesia Inc. and its parent company Air Micronesia Inc., joins a select group of businessmen after bagging the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s “2004 Business Person of the Year” award.

The Chamber gives out the award annually to a business executive who has made significant contributions to the community while effectively steering his business flagship to growth and survival despite tough economic times.

The Chamber honored Erwin during a formal installation dinner for the Chamber’s new set officers at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach’s Hibiscus Hall Saturday night, an event graced by the CNMI’s business and political leaders.

“I love the people. I love the culture. I love diversity,” Erwin said of the Northern Marianas and the Micronesian region. He dedicated the award to Continental’s employees in the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the world, especially to Saipan-based employees led by manager Ivan Quichocho.

Tan Holdings Inc. executive vice president Jerry Tan, the recipient of the Chamber’s “2003 Business Person of the Year” award, joined Chamber president Alex Sablan in handing out the plaque of recognition to Erwin.

“Despite the difficulties of rising fuel costs, international terrorism, ever-changing safety requirements for the aviation industry, the ups and downs of tourism, Continental has stood by these islands as our partner,” the Chamber said. The airline company has been servicing the islands for over 38 years.

“Business has changed tremendously over the years, but Continental’s response has always been appropriate to the times and no matter how tough times have been, they have responded well to adversity by bouncing back and continuing to improve their service as an award-winning airline,” it added. “They are committed to doing business here and to the region.”

The Chamber also recognized Erwin’s leadership for Continental, which expanded its inter-island service via Cape Air in 2004.

“Continenal also expanded [its] direct service to Manila, Hong Kong and Taipei. This helps encourage more diversity in our tourist market and also promotes commerce by making it easier to do business here. They also maintained their jet service to Japan, our major market,” the Chamber said.

The Chamber also recognized Continental’s provision of good benefits and working conditions to its employees, including 175 local residents on Saipan. It noted the company’s participation in various community and fundraising events that benefit organizations such as the Northern Marianas College Foundation, American Red Cross, and Karidat, among others.

Erwin has been in the airline industry for about 27 years. He has been Continental Micronesia and Air Micronesia’s president and CEO since 2002. He is also Continental Airlines Inc.’s senior vice president for the Asia-Pacific and corporate development divisions.

Before joining Continental Micronesia, Erwin served as senior vice president for airport services for Continental Airlines from 1995 to 2002, responsible for the company’s largest operating division—field services—that encompasses some 17,000 personnel. His responsibility included Continental’s domestic and international field services, cargo division’s sales and service, corporate security, and corporate real estate functions, covering all properties and facilities.

From 1990 to 2002, Erwin also held various executive positions, such as vice president for Continental’s Newark hub, staff vice president for airport services, and staff vice president for operations and service of the airline company’s international division.

Erwin was Continental’s general manager and regional director for Hawaii, responsible for the Asia-Pacific division operations, customer service and cargo, including the Honolulu and Guam hubs, while serving on the Air Micronesia management board from 1998 to 2000.

A Business Administration and Economics graduate from the Portland State University, Erwin is married to Jane. The couple is blessed with one daughter, Stephanie, 15.

Past recipients of the Chamber’s Business Person of the Year award include Tan, 2003; Sablan of Saipan Shipping Company, 2002; Jay B. Jones, Triple J Motors, 2001; Wendi S. Herring, Pacific Islands Club, 2000; Marian Aldan-Pierce, DFS Saipan Limited, 1999; Joe C. Ayuyu, McDonald’s of Saipan, 1998; Ed Camacho, Pacific Financial Corp., 1997; and Efrain F. Camacho, EFC Engineers & Architects, 1996.