Saipan, CNMI — The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Development Center (CNMI SBDC) Network at the Northern Marianas College formally announced its Advisory Council and convened for its inaugural Annual Advisory Council Meeting on January 9, 2026, bringing together business, government, and education leaders to help guide small business development efforts across the Commonwealth. 

The Advisory Council serves as a strategic body providing guidance to the CNMI SBDC Network on program development, outreach priorities, and long-term economic impact for small businesses on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. 

The CNMI SBDC Network formally introduced its Advisory Council members during the meeting. Council members and their affiliations are listed below by island representation: 

Saipan 
● Dr. Barbara Hunter – Interim Director, School of Business, Northern Marianas College
● Derek Sasamoto – Executive Director, Commonwealth Economic Development Authority  
● Jamika Taijeron – Managing Director, Marianas Visitors Authority
● Leila Staffler – Secretary, CNMI Department of Labor 
● Thomas John Manglona – Congressman, House of Representatives & Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, 24th CNMI Legislature 
● Vickie Izuka – Vice President & Branch Manager, First Hawaiian Bank 

Tinian 
● Alexis Hofschneider – Owner, K-Town Coffee 
● Allen Perez – Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office of Tinian 

Rota 
● Diana B. Hocog – Interim Director, Rota NMC Center 
● Jennifer Yalung – Owner, BBQ Beast / The Happy Place 

Vickie Izuka, CNMI SBDC Advisory Council member representing Saipan, shares her thoughts in her appointment to the Council, “I am extremely proud of the progress the CNMI SBDC has made in the short time it has become a Network. Their dedication and commitment to helping small businesses is something I am personally impressed with, and is part of the reason why I accepted a seat on the Council. I look forward to seeing their continued growth, and am excited to be a part of how the SBDC can strengthen its service delivery to the small business communities we all serve.” 

As part of the inaugural meeting, the Advisory Council conducted the election of its leadership. Members elected Derek Sasamoto to serve as Chairman and Diana B. Hocog to serve as Vice-Chairwoman, establishing the Council’s leadership for the coming year and reinforcing its commitment to structured governance and accountability. 

Derek Sasamoto, newly-elected Council Chairman expresses, “The CNMI SBDC Network is an active contributor to increasing entrepreneurial capacity within the Commonwealth. As the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, I look forward to seeing ways we can partner with the SBDC to build on that capacity, strengthen access to capital and discuss ways on how we can be an active participant in its service delivery to the CNMI.” 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format, with Tinian-based Council members participating virtually via Zoom, ensuring full island representation and reinforcing the Network’s commitment to inclusive engagement across the Commonwealth. 

Also present at the meeting were senior leaders from Northern Marianas College, the host institution of the CNMI SBDC Network: 

● Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD., President 
● Frankie Eliptico, Senior Vice President of Administration and Advancement 

Their presence underscored the College’s continued support of small business development and workforce readiness initiatives throughout the CNMI. 

While the Advisory Council is expected to meet annually, the Council will convene again in July 2026 to continue its work in preparation for the CNMI SBDC Network’s upcoming accreditation review with the Association of America’s SBDC where members of the Council are expected to contribute to the Network’s overall strategic plan. The mid-year convening will allow the Council to review progress, support accreditation-related planning, and ensure the Network remains aligned with national SBDC standards while advancing services tailored to the CNMI’s unique business environment. 

“The Advisory Council brings together voices that reflect the real needs and opportunities within our business community,” said Nadine Deleon Guerrero Kintol, Network Director of the CNMI SBDC Network. “Their contributions and feedback strengthens our ability to deliver relevant, practical, and impactful services for entrepreneurs across all three islands while recognizing blind spots the SBDC may not be necessarily aware of.” 

The CNMI SBDC Network, hosted by Northern Marianas College, provides no-cost, confidential business advising, training, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. 

For more information, visit www.cnmisbdc.com or contact the SBDC office at (670) 237-9206/6888 or send us an email at cnmisbdc@marianas.edu. Follow us on social media for updates: Instagram @cnmisbdc and Facebook at CNMI Small Business Development Center Network for the latest information.