Joshua Wise Saipan Chamber’s Businessperson of the Year
BY MARK RABAGO
Saipan Correspondent
Joshua Wise, general manager of PHI Pharmacy, was named the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Businessperson of the Year during the Chamber’s Jan. 31 awards banquet at the Kensington Hotel Saipan.
“I really don’t know what to say — I’m still shaking a little bit,” Wise said upon accepting the award. He thanked fellow nominees Tina Azarvand, Glenna Palacios, and Brad Ruszala, describing them as “rock stars in their fields,” and said being recognized alongside them was an honor.
Wise credited the achievement to the people around him, particularly his PHI Pharmacy team. He also thanked his wife Jamie and children Jordan and Gemma for their continued support.
Joshua Wise, general manager of PHI Pharmacy, was named the Saipan Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Businessperson of the Year on Jan. 31. Photo by Mark Rabago
Wise said his approach to business has been shaped by a few guiding principles from his father. “If you take care of your employees, they will take care of you,” he said, adding that strong customer service and partnerships built on trust and loyalty remain central to long-term success.
Following the awards presentation, Wise delivered his inaugural address as incoming president of the Chamber, succeeding outgoing president Joe C. Guerrero.
“There’s no denying that our economy continues to face significant challenges,” Wise said, citing population decline, reduced visitor arrivals, foreign currency volatility, and airline fleet shortages that continue to affect tourism and business activity in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Despite ongoing uncertainty, Wise said local businesses have remained resilient. “Even in uncertainty, employers continue to show up, services continue to be delivered, and businesses continue to adapt,” he said.
Wise credited Guerrero’s leadership with strengthening collaboration within the Chamber during a period of change and said the organization will continue working closely with government agencies and community partners to ensure business perspectives remain part of policy discussions.
Guerrero, who will continue serving on the Chamber’s board, reflected on seven years of service on the board, including five as president, describing a period marked by economic disruption and recovery efforts. Stepping aside as president, Guerrero said he will continue serving in advisory roles focused on economic and tourism recovery.
Guerrero is a member of the Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors, the Tourism Recovery Task Force, and Governor's Revenue Council and vice chairman of the Governor's Council of Economic Advisers.
The Chamber also announced its other 2025 award recipients, naming Project Buddy Check 670 as Non-Profit of the Year; Kumoi Farms as Small Business of the Year; the CNMI Small Business Development Center as Chamber Member of the Year; and Northern Marianas College as Public Agency of the Year.
Gov. David M. Apatang, who addressed the gathering, congratulated the honorees and the newly installed board, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between government and the private sector as the Commonwealth works to strengthen its economy.
During the gala, the Chamber also installed its board of directors. Newly elected or re-elected members include Amier C. Younis, president, Marianas Variety; Nelson Krum, dentist, Paradise Dental Spa; and Wise and Ruszala. The officers are Wise, president; Janice Tenorio, vice president; Ron Smith, treasurer; and Ruszala, secretary. mbj
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