{"id":399841,"date":"2023-10-04T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-04T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=399841"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Concepcion-turns-down-CPA-offer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Concepcion-turns-down-CPA-offer\/","title":{"rendered":"Concepcion turns down CPA offer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite a majority 5-1 vote in favor of offering the post of Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director to Christopher A. Concepcion, the man himself has turned down the offer and will remain as the Marianas Visitors Authority\u2019s managing director.<\/p>\n

After officially receiving CPA\u2019s offer for the position, Concepcion informed the board that he is declining the offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am honored and humbled to be offered the position. \u2026With my nearly 10-year background in the airline industry, my understanding of airport operations, my keen knowledge of the complexities involved when dealing with other airlines, ground handlers, tour operators, travel agencies, hoteliers, retailers, transportation companies, national, state and local government agencies, foreign government officials, and many other travel industry stakeholders, combined with my years of experience at the helm of the Marianas Visitors Authority, I know I would\u2019ve made a perfect fit. I am honored that the interview committee made up of four industry professionals rated me highest out of nine competing candidates. However, after careful consideration, I have decided to decline the offer,\u201d Concepcion said in a statement yesterday.<\/p>\n

Still, Concepcion said he looks forward to continuing to work with CPA at the helm of MVA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI extend my sincere gratitude to the CPA board of directors and the interview panel for their time and effort, and vote of confidence. I wish the best for the CPA board, management, and staff as they continue the good work of moving the agency forward. The missions of the MVA and CPA complement each other, so I look forward to continuing our partnership,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In a statement from CPA board chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds, she said it is unfortunate that Concepcion turned down the offer\u2014believing that his decision was politically influenced\u2014as it would have been a great opportunity for him, CPA, and the CNMI community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate that after having been summoned by the governor, Chris felt it necessary to rescind his acceptance of the offer to start a new challenging opportunity given to him by industry stakeholders. This would have been a great opportunity for him to grow professionally and develop his leadership skills while serving the community. I fully empathize with his position and that of many young, educated, and highly qualified CNMI talents whose contributions are either dismissed altogether or put in a difficult situation such as this because of politics. It\u2019s one of the reasons why the CNMI suffers from a brain drain. With that being said, there are other equally qualified individuals with credentials who have been also recommended to the board and are being considered for the position,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Last week, following heated argument among CPA board members during the deliberation process to name a new executive director, the board voted 5-1 (due to a recusal) to offer the position to Concepcion.<\/p>\n

The row came about after CPA board member Antonio Cabrera\u2014who has also applied for the executive director position\u2014objected to the selection of Concepcion, arguing that the new executive director should be \u201cvery qualified,\u201d implying that Concepcion\u2019s 10-year experience in the airline industry was not enough.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Christopher A. Concepcion<\/p>\n

-Mark Rabago
\n
\nAssociate Editor
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