OPA promotes four of its auditing staff

The CNMI Office of the Public Auditor has promoted four staff members: Imelda Pinaula Barcinas, Robert Camacho Torres, Kimberly Manglona Mendiola and Deanna Castro Sablan.

Imelda Pinaula Barcinas has been with OPA for more than seven years. After receiving a degree in Economics from Chaminade University in Hawaii, Barcinas went to work for OPA as an analyst after a brief stint at the Department of Commerce. After a few years, she became a senior analyst. Now Barcinas has been promoted to an analyst manager. As such, she will supervise analysts in the conduct of their audits. Barcinas is the first analyst manager to be promoted from within and is the only female analyst manager now at OPA.

Robert Camacho Torres has been an analyst at OPA for three years, since he received his degree in Economics from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. His audit training included 90 days of on-the-job training within the Department of Interior’s Office of the Inspector General. Torres was OPA’s Employee of the Year in 2003-2004. In December 2004, the Institute of Internal Auditors awarded Torres its Certified Government Auditing Professional designation, a first for the CNMI. Torres has now been promoted to senior analyst and is looking forward to supervising and assisting some of the newer analysts.

Kimberly Manglona Mendiola joined OPA three years ago after earning her degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Shortly after joining OPA Mendiola participated in a five-week auditor training workshop in Apia, Samoa, sponsored by the South Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions. Her successful completion of the workshop earned her the qualification to serve as a SPASAI audit trainer. Mendiola is the first CNMI resident to be designated a certified internal auditor by the Institute of Internal Auditors. She is assigned to OPA’s Financial Audit Unit.

Deanna Castro Sablan has been an analyst at OPA for two years. After she received her degree in Business Administration from California State University of Fresno, Sablan returned to Saipan and went to work for two years at the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Then she taught in the CNMI Public School System for four years prior to her employment at OPA. Sablan has now been promoted to a senior analyst. She, too, is looking forward to supervising and assisting some of the newer analysts.

Public Auditor Michael Sablan said he is proud of the accomplishments of his staff.

“I am so fortunate to have such an energetic, dedicated, and professional staff. When I am told by other employers that they cannot find qualified local professionals, I tell them to look around—there are plenty. OPA strongly encourages professional training and certifications for its employees. My efforts have really paid off. I could not be happier,” he said. (PR)