ESGR Guam-CNMI

West Region Selects Donald Clark - Volunteer of the Year for Employer Outreach Director

Guam — Mr. Don Clark has been selected as the West Region Volunteer of the Year (VOTY) for Employer Outreach Director, an honor awarded by the West Region Chairs in recognition of exceptional volunteer service and impact.

Mr. Clark was chosen through a collective decision of 13 Western Committee Chairs, underscoring the broad regional support for his work. The selection was based on his outstanding efforts with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), particularly his work with the Department of Administration, including securing ESGR’s placement on the department’s monthly calendar—an achievement that significantly strengthened outreach and engagement with employers.

Special acknowledgment is extended to Ms. Lisa Fisher, who, during her tenure as Deputy Director of the Department of Administration, played an instrumental role in facilitating and supporting this collaboration.

Since the inception of this award in 2013, the Guam-CNMI Committee has not received a Volunteer of the Year award, making this recognition particularly meaningful and historic.

“Don’s selection as West Region Volunteer of the Year is a testament to his dedication, professionalism, and ability to build impactful partnerships,” said Cathy Gogue, State Chair of the Guam-CNMI Committee. “His work exemplifies the spirit of volunteer service and directly strengthens the support network for our service members and the employers who stand behind them.”

As a volunteer organization, the Guam-CNMI Committee remains deeply grateful to its volunteers for their unwavering commitment to supporting service members and fostering strong employer relationships throughout the region.

This announcement was made to the state committees by ESGR Executive Director, U.S. Navy Captain Darren Bess, a Department of War program headquartered in Washington DC.

About ESGR: The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of War program established to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component service member and their civilian employers. ESGR provides free education, consultation, and conflict mediation services to support service members and their employers.

For more information regarding the Guam-CNMI Committee, contact Deborah Weger at (671)777.2220 or [email protected]

To those in uniform serving today and to those who have served in the past, we honor you today and every day.” — Unknown

To our men and women in uniform, we are indebted to your service.

Mr. Dennis Macatangay, at center, from Standard Testing Services, Inc, was presented with a My Boss is a Patriot Award by Deborah Weger, at left, and Josephine Blas, at right, Volunteers with the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Mr. Macatangay, was nominated by Specialist Jun Loren Villanueva for the outstanding support he receives while deployed and serving in the Guam Army National Guard.

Ms. Sophia Duenas, at center, Principal, Tiyan High School, was presented with a My Boss is a Patriot Award and a Seven Seals Award by Ms. Cathy Gogue, third from left, and Ms. Deborah Weger, second from right, Volunteers with the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission
Ms. Duenas, was nominated by First Lieutenant John Perez, who teaches at Tiyan High School, for the outstanding support he receives from Ms. Duenas and the entire staff as he prepares for a deployment and throughout his service in the Guam Army National Guard (GUARNG).

The awards were presented at Tiyan High School during a sendoff ceremony for First Lieutenant Perez’s unit.

Pictured, from left to right, are First Lieutenant John Perez, nominator; Ms. Vicky Sablan, Assistant Principal-Curriculum; Ms. Cathy Gogue, Guam-CNMI ESGR State Chair; Ms. Sophia Duenas, Principal, and awards recipient; Ms. Jonalyn Ceria, Assistant Principal-Special Programs, Clubs, and Facilities; Mr. Joel Punzalan, Assistant Principal-Attendance and Discipline; Ms. Deborah Weger, Guam-CNMI ESGR Public Affairs Director; and Captain Alejo Lujan, Commander, D-Co, 1st-294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard.

Mr. Michael Carandang, at left, from the Federal Aviation Administration, was presented with a My Boss is a Patriot by Josephine Blas, at center, a Volunteer with the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Mr. Carandang was nominated by Technical Sergeant Joshua Leon Guerrero, at right, for the outstanding support he receives while deployed and serving in the Guam Air National Guard.

Ms. Melissa Mafnas, second from right, Principal of F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, was presented with a My Boss is a Patriot by Deborah Weger, at left, and Josephine Blas, at right, Volunteers with the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Ms. Mafnas was nominated by Captain Patrick Calilung, for the outstanding support he receives while deployed and serving in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Chief Justice Robert Torres, third from left, and Mr. Leo Diaz, Marshal of the Courts, third from right, from the Judiciary of Guam were presented with a My Boss is a Patriot by Josephine Blas, second from left, and Deborah Weger, at right, Volunteers with the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Chief Justice Torres and Mr. Diaz were nominated by Senior Master Sergeant Oscar Espinosa, for the outstanding support he receives while deployed and serving in the Guam Air National Guard. Also pictured are Danielle Rosete, at left, Administrator of the Courts, and Sophia Santos Diaz, second from right, Deputy Administrator of the Courts.

Chief Frank Diego, at center, from the Guam Fire Department's Agat Station, was presented with a My Boss is a Patriot Award by Deborah Weger, at left, and Josephine Blas, at right, Volunteers with the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Chief Diego, was nominated by Petty Officer 2nd Class George Anthony Mesa for the outstanding support he receives while deployed and serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Mr. Timothy Lubasan, at center, from V2X, was presented with a My Boss is a Patriot Award by Deborah Weger, at left, and Josephine Blas, at right, Volunteers with the Guam-CNMI Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Mr. Lubasan, was nominated by Sergeant Christopher Camacho for the outstanding support he receives while deployed and serving in the Guam Army National Guard.