[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14873]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING JOANN G. CAMACHO FOR BEING CHOSEN AS THE 2015 GUAM 
                       BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 2015

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joann G. Camacho 
for being chosen as the 2015 Guam Business Woman of the Year. Joann is 
a native daughter of Guam who has had a long career, spanning a 
collective 25 years in Guam's tourism industry. She is known throughout 
the island for spreading Guam's famous hospitality and hafa adai 
spirit.
  Joann graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam in 1974 and went 
on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance Management in 
1978 from the University of San Francisco. Her first job after college 
was working as a staff assistant for fiscal affairs in the office of 
the governor of Guam.
  She began working with Duty Free Shoppers early on in her career as 
Divisional Merchandising Manager and helped opened 23 boutiques that 
appealed to the Asian tourist market on Guam while arrivals were 
climbing. She took a short break from her career in the tourism 
industry to support her husband, Felix, as he served as the Governor of 
Guam for two terms. During this time, she focused on protecting the 
environment and improving the island community. She launched the Simple 
Tasks Aimed at Reducing Trash (START) program.
  Joann made her comeback to the industry as the General Manager of the 
Guam Visitors Bureau. It was there that she was able to work with and 
support a team that helped increase visitor arrivals on Guam to the 
highest numbers seen in 15 years.
  Joann then returned to DFS Group Ltd. in January 2013 where she 
serves as the Director of Market Development of the T-Galleria. As the 
Director of Market Development, she is responsible for identifying 
local trends in the private and public sectors and recognizing 
visitors' preference in local products. She plays a very instrumental 
role at the T-Galleria and has helped the organization develop the Guam 
Unique Merchandising Art program. This program allows local artisans 
the opportunity to showcase Guam's local art, history and culture 
through their work in a luxury retail setting.
  Joann is passionate about all the work she does and is resourceful 
and determined to carry out every task she does with success. Her work 
in both the public and private sectors has helped various organizations 
to grow, and in turn has allowed the Guam tourism industry to prosper.
  Additionally, Joann is heavily involved with non-profit agencies 
throughout the island of Guam. Joann continues a close relationship 
with the Guam Visitors Bureau and is involved with the Guam Chamber of 
Commerce, Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of 
Commerce, Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, Make A Wish 
Foundation, Guam Museum Foundation, Japan Club of Guam and Guam 
Memorial Hospital Volunteers Association. She is also a board member of 
the Tourism Education Council, Guam Tourism Foundation, Latte of 
Freedom Foundation, Guam Red Cross and Guam Unique Merchandise and Art.
  I extend my congratulations to Joann G. Camacho on being named the 
2015 Guam Business Woman of the Year and thank her for her service and 
dedication to the island of Guam throughout the years. I also extend my 
congratulations to her husband, Governor Felix P. Camacho, their 
children, Jessica, Felix Jr. and Maria, and their grandchildren, 
Scotty, Colin, Raymond and Mason. I wish her the best on this important 
achievement.

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