NMC names new financial officer

The Northern Marianas College named Rogelio “Roger” L. Madriaga as its new chief financial and administrative officer Friday. He will join the college today.

No stranger to the college, Madriaga had previously worked for five years at NMC, where—as the director of the Office of Planning, Budget, and CIP—he led the college’s efforts in planning, evaluation, research, assessment, and grant management. He also directed the development of the college’s annual budget, including the examination of departmental budget submissions, the monitoring of revenue collections, and the preparation of operational plans for all federally funded programs.

Prior to serving as director, Madriaga had worked as NMC’s associate director for the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Grants, and assistant director for the Office of Research, Planning and Evaluation. During his tenure at the college, he was instrumental in implementing rigorous financial controls and cost efficiencies as well as compliance with federal and CNMI and board policies. He had even been part of a working group that developed the college’s first budget manual, which is still being used.

Most recently, Madriaga worked for more than eight years at the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation as the manager of Administration and Operations. In addition to providing administrative and fiscal leadership and direction, he assisted in overseeing OVR’s budgeting processes, planning activities, research and evaluation functions, human resource management, financial management, audit resolutions, and program assessment activities.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Roger to NMC’s management team,” said NMC president Dr. Carmen Fernandez. “In addition to his experience as a seasoned financial manager, he brings a broad base of administrative knowledge and expertise to the college.”

Madriaga graduated with a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1994. Prior to his graduate studies, he earned two bachelor’s degrees—one in business administration and another in social sciences—from UH Hilo.

“Roger is also highly regarded for having a deep understanding of NMC’s planning, assessment, and budgeting processes,” Fernandez added. “His prior work at NMC will especially come in handy as he will have to hit the ground running.”

For the past three months, Martin Mendiola, program coordinator for the Rota Instructional Site, had served as acting CFAO.

“The college community is deeply thankful to Martin for capably filling this critical role for the last several weeks,” Fernandez said. “His contributions have made a significant impact on the College’s accreditations efforts.”[B][I] (NMC)[/I][/B]