FANAPI FOUNDATION – Advisory Board
Fanapi Foundation is led by an all-volunteer Advisory Board comprising of leaders who understand the needs and realities in Micronesia in the areas of education, health, poverty elimination, and community development.
Fr. Floren Akkin
Principal, Northwest High School
Onoun Island, Chuuk, FSM
Father Floren Akkin is a Catholic diocesan priest who is the principal for Northwest High School (formerly Weipat Junior High School), the only high school serving all three fanapi regions of Pattiw, Pafeng, and Namonweito. He graduated from University of Guam and the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji. Since his ordination, Fr. Floren has been active in youth formation and educational reform efforts for the outer islands of Northwest. Originally from the Northwest and a graduate of Weipat Junior High School, he returned to those same region to serve as the resident pastor and as a counselor at Weipat. He was promoted to the principal position two years ago and is leading the school through the difficult transition.
Barbara Colyar
Director, Alumni Office (International Programs)
Santa Clara University
Barbara has been a mentor for Vid Raatior and countless others in the field of international education. Mrs. Colyar received her Bachelor’s and Masters degrees from Santa Clara University. She is a recognized national leader in international education and a strong advocate for global understanding and women’s rights. Her experience includes serving as Director of International Student Services and Director of Study Abroad, thus spanning both dimensions of global education. At Santa Clara Barbara has been instrumental in expanding pre-departure and re-entry classes along with a dynamic peer education programs for study abroad students. Her work has been supported by grants from the James Irvine foundation. Barbara has served on the national boards of several international educational programs and in 2003 was honored with the Service in International Education Award from the Western Region of NAFSA. She joined the Alumni Office as Director of Alumni Relations focusing on study abroad and international alumni engagement.
Chad Ellis, DDS
Dentist, Hammond & Ellis
Provo, Utah
Dr. Chad Ellis practices dentistry in Utah where he is recognized for his talents in all aspects of general and cosmetic dentistry. Prior to his successful career in dentistry, the young Chad served an LDS mission in Micronesia in the Chuuk, Micronesia. He recently returned to Chuuk in Summer 2012 with his wife Lynette and a team of volunteer dentists to operate free dental clinics for the children and women as part of the UCP-sponsored project, Micronesia Dental Support Project. He has participated in other humanitarian dental projects in Peru, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. He is also an annual volunteer of the Smiles for Life Foundation, the children’s charity organization of the Crown Council. Dr Ellis is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Crown Council, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentists, Utah Dental Association, Idaho State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, and the Academy of LDS Dentists. He served five years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force as a civil environmental engineer in California and Texas. He graduated from Utah State University where he received Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. While at UT, Dr. Ellis was a recipient of the General Dentistry Certificate of Honor and was selected as a delegate for the Japanese dental exchange program at Meikai University.
Larry R. Gabriel
Northwest Community Leader
Corsicana, Texas
Larry is the community leader of the Fanapi islanders living in the State of Texas particularly in the Dallas and Corsicana areas. He is a strong advocate for education in the Northwest and has led fundraising efforts to build the Tamatam Learning Center for students from the Northwest island of Tamatam to have a library and computer lab on Weno. A product of public education in Chuuk State, Larry attended Weipat Junior High School and Chuuk High School before completing a Bachelors Degree in sociology from University of Iowa, and a master degree in sociology from University of Illinois – Chicago Circle. Previously, Larry worked as a case worker for senior citizens, taught in the GED and ESL programs, and coordinated the Distance Learning programs for Truman College at military establishments.
Len Isotoff
General Manager, Matson
Guam & Micronesia
Len is the General Manager of Matson Ocean Services for the Guam and Micronesia regions. Based in Guam, Len first worked for Matson in 1999 as a project manager for Matson Logistics Solutions and formally joined MLA as manager, logistics, Guam, in 2000. A native of Chuuk, Len has served in a number of managerial posts in Matson’s offices in Hawaii and Seattle before being promoted to the Guam GM post in 2008. He has been an active supporter of social good in Micronesia through his leadership role in the Matson Foundation.
Scott Kelley, Ph.D.
Vice President for Vincentian Scholarship, Office of Mission & Values
DePaul University
Dr. Scott Kelley is Assistant Vice-President for Vincentian Scholarship in the Office of Mission and Values at DePaul University. Previously, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Religious Studies Department and Research Fellow at the Institute for Business and Professional Ethics. He received a Doctorate in Theological Ethics from Loyola University Chicago in 2006. Prior to graduate work, he taught Theology at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona, English in Tokyo, Japan and was a volunteer in Pohnpei, Micronesia with Jesuit Volunteer International. His particular teaching and research interests include for-profit contributions to the alleviation of global poverty, Catholic social teaching, Vincentian heritage, sustainability, and moral discernment. He recently co-authored a book entitled, “Alleviate Poverty through Profitable Partnerships: Globalization, Markets, and Economic Well-being.”
Asterio Takesy
FSM Ambassador to the United States
FSM Embassy, Washington DC
Mr. Asterio Takesy is the Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the United States. An experienced diplomat, Mr. Takesy has served his country and the Northwest region in a variety of high level posts dating back to the 70’s when he served as Administrative Assistant in the Chuuk District Education Department. He also worked as Chief Clerk in the Congress of Micronesian House of Representatives, assistant secretary of the Micronesia Constitutional Convention. His leadership abilities led him to become the Executive Director of the Commission on Future Political Association with the United States which eventually led to Micronesia’s independence in 1979. More recently, he served the FSM as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of Resources and Development, and Executive Director for the Joint Committee on Compact Economic Negotiations which eventually led to the current treaty between the US and the FSM called Compact of Free Association. Before his current appointment to the Ambassadorship, Asterio was the first Micronesian to serve as the Executive Director of the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program serving two terms. He graduated from University of Guam and University of New Mexico.
Founder & Program Manager
Vidalino Raatior
Director, Pacific Islander Student Center
University of Hawaii at Hilo
vid@raatior.com
Vid Raatior was born and raised in the Northwest region and attended public schools all his elementary and secondary years. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from University of Guam and received his masters degree in school administration at University of San Francisco. He is the director of the Pacific Islander Student Center at University of Hawaii at Hilo. Previously, he served as the Assistant Director for Study Abroad Programs at Santa Clara University, Assistant Director of Xavier High School in Micronesia and served on a number of committees and task forces in Chuuk. He is a social entrepreneur with a passion for empowering people and organizations in his home country of Micronesia. He is the co-founder of and Program Manager for the UCP-sponsored Micronesia Dental Support Project (http://mdsp.unitedcp.org) and the founder of the blog, Raatior Ventures (www.raatior.com).
FANAPI CENTER – Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for providing the overall leadership, fiduciary duties, vision, policy setting, and development for the Chuuk-based Fanapi Center. The Board members represent area of expertise and depth of commitment to seek ways to help the outer islands. All Board members serve on a volunteer basis and receive no financial compensation for their services. Ideal members will represent the various sectors in the community.
Steve Johnny (Education)
Mr. Steve Johnny is the Area Supervisor for all schools in the Northwest Unified Schools. He is a graduate of Northwest High School (formerly Weipat Jr. High School) and Chuuk High School before he went to United States for his college education. For the past 15 years, Mr. Johnny has served as the principal and teacher at Pattiw Junior High School. He represents educational initiatives on the Board.
James A. Naich (Government)
Mr. James Naich is the Deputy Chief of Mission of the FSM Embassy in Washington, DC. Originally from the island of Pollap in the Pattiw Region, Mr. Naich has served our nation in the diplomatic corps for many years and has a great grasp of the needs of the Fanapi islanders overseas. His knowledge of local, national, and international governments will be valuable to the Board.
Erencia Saipweirik, RSM (Women)
Sr. Erencia Saipweirik is a teacher and former Vice Principal at Saramen Chuuk Academy on Weno, Chuuk. Originally from the outer island of Houk, Sr. Eren is a member of the Mercy Sisters and has been a strong advocate for outer island women’s issues. She has sponsored young women from the outer islands to help form them academically, socially, spiritually, and self-esteem building.
Felix Yomai (Health)
Dr. Felix Yomai is a physician at the Chuuk State Hospital who has roots in both the outer islands of Yap and Polowat. In addition to his duties at the hospital, Dr. Yomai is very actively involved with the FSM national sports teams as the team physician. With his vast experience in the health services, Dr. Yomai will advise the Board on issues of healthcare.
Asael Ruda (Religion)
Asael is a missionary from the Pafeng islands who is currently based in Yap, but travels to Chuuk for faith-related outreach efforts. He will represents the religious faith efforts on the Board.
Linda Mori Hartmann (Partnerships)
Linda is a leader in a variety of organizations and projects in the State of Chuuk. A resident of Weno with deep roots in the Northwest region, Linda brings an expertise to the Board on building collaborations with other Weno-based NGOs and other organizations.
Vidalino Raatior (ex-officio)
Vid Raatior is the Director of the Pacific Islanders Student Center at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Originally from the outer islands of Onoun, Tamatam, and Houk, Vid is the Program Manager of the Fanapi Foundation which is the US-based entity aimed at raising funds and providing technical assistance to the Fanapi Center.
COUNCIL of Advisers
The Council of Advisors for the Fanapi Center is a group of local leaders who will provide informal advise and inspiration to the Fanapi Center’s efforts in various sectors, associations, and geographical locations. Their role is advisory rather than legally binding, but their contribution in terms of advising program priorities and deliveries is valuable.
STAFF – Fanapi Center
This is the proposed staffing for the Fanapi Center:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for the Foundation’s overall program development, funding, staffing, and global partnerships.
Director of Operations (Director)
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the Center’s staff and coordination and management of all programs, operational and fiscal responsibility. The Director also oversees all national, state and municipal governmental compliance and relationships.
Program Managers (PM)
Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, the Program Managers are responsible for the day-to-day planning, implementation, and coordination of the various programs within their division of the Center. PMs receive a salary commensurate to their education and experience.
- Education Division
- Business Division
- Community Development Division
- Health Care Division
Office Manager
The Office Manager reports to the Director of Operations and is responsible for the day-to-day clerical support for the organization including the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Director, Director of Operations, Program Managers, and serves as a contact for the Center’s volunteers, visitors, and funders.
