Judges

Jamie Aingimea

With over a decade of hands-on experience in banking and finance, I currently serve as a Senior Loan Officer at Pacific Islands Development Bank in Guam. My expertise spans mortgage underwriting, consumer and commercial lending, and community-focused financing initiatives, including USDA 502 Direct Loan application packaging. I hold a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Eastern Oregon University.
Passionate about building a stronger Micronesia, I’m committed to helping individuals and communities gain access to financial tools and guidance that support long-term growth, economic resilience, and a sustainable future for our islands.

Christopher A. Cruz

is husband to Ana-Alicia Cruz and father of two, Ariana who is 17, and Christopher II who is 15. He is a seasoned commercial banker having worked in numerous capacities with the Bank of Guam and a regional development bank, the Pacific Islands Development Bank. Chris is a product of the University of Guam having attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2006 and a PMBA in 2012. When Chris is not working or engaging in service to the community, he enjoys family time, cooking, and is always sharpening the saw.

Yamado A. Melander

 

• 13th Kosrae State Legislature (R&D Chairman) January 2019-Present
• Administrator, Div. of Agriculture and Land, DREA-KSG September 2016-January 2019
• Enrollment Agent(Liberty Tax Hawaii) January 2013-April 2013
• Signal Support NCO(US Army Signal Corps) March 2006-December 2012
• ECE Teacher August 2005-March 2006

 

• Master in Business Administration (MBA) University of Phoenix -Honolulu (August 2014-June 2016)
• Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management Remington College-Hawaii (January 2013-May 2014)
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts College of Micronesia-FSM (August 2002-May 2004)

 

• China-South Pacific Islands Agriculture Technical Training- June 2017
• Local Industry Development in Agricultural Regions by Strengthening Capacity of Management and Marketing (A)-Sept 11-Oct 14, 2017
• APHIS International Training Course (USDA)-June 4-14, 2018

Andriet R. Tilfas

 

• Birthdate: October 7, 1971
• Place of Birth: Pohnpei (formerly Ponape) State Hospital

 

• 1992-1996: University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Awarded a full scholarship under AusAID (Australian Government BA Degree in Management & Public Administration with A Minor in Tourism Studies
• 1988-1991: Community College of Micronesia (CCM), Pohnpei, FSM AS Degree in General Business
• 1984-1988: Kosrae High School, Tofol, Kosrae

 

• 2006 – Present: Branch Manager, FSM Development Bank, Kosrae Branch
• 2005-2006: Loan Officer, FSM Development Bank, Kosrae Branch
• 1997-2004: Collection Officer, USDA Rural Development, Kosrae Local Office

 

• Board Member, Kosrae Visitor’s Bureau
• Board Member, Kosrae Chamber of Commerce
• Board Member, Tafunsak Women Council, Kosrae
• Former Member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA, Micronesia Chapter)
• Represent FSM to the 1st Fish 2.0 Competition held at the Stanford University in California, December 2014
• RRepresent FSM Women to the 1st Women in Business Conference in Nadi, Fiji, 2012 (Full sponsor by PIPSO)
• Tutor for Kosrae Upward Bound Program, Tofol, Kosrae, 1998