Business Briefs: $249M contract awarded; SPPC names new CEO; Junior Achievement expands AI program

Oregon film lands $249M contract for ship repair on Guam

The Military Sealift Command in Virginia has awarded a $249 million contract to Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans for general ship repair on Guam.

The contract awarded to the Oregon company represents a rolling admission to a previously awarded multiple-award contract, which includes a five-year ordering period, according to the Navy's announcement.

Work is expected to be completed by November 2027.

The amount of $3,500 from the Navy's fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Bill Ada

Bill Ada takes the helm of SPPC

William "Bill" Ada is the new chief executive officer of the South Pacific Petroleum Corp., taking the helm of the company as it commemorates its 25-year history.

Ada, whose appointment was effective June 1, succeeded Robert "Bob" Koeppen, Jr., who retired after more than 33 years of service to the business, spanning both Exxon and SPPC, including the past two years as CEO.

Ada brings nearly two decades of executive leadership experience in petroleum operations, retail, commercial sales, logistics and marketing throughout Guam and the Micronesian region.

Prior to joining SPPC as executive vice president in 2024, he held senior leadership positions with Mobil Oil Guam, IT&E and IP&E Holdings, where he led strategic initiatives in fuel distribution, retail operations, commercial business development and marketing.

His career accomplishments include founding the Foody's convenience store chain and helping lead the launch of Guam's first 4G LTE network while serving at IT&E. Since joining SPPC, Ada has played a key role in advancing operational performance, strengthening cross-functional collaboration, and developing long-term growth initiatives.

“It is a privilege to lead a company with a legacy of serving Guam that spans more than five decades, from its Exxon roots to the South Pacific Petroleum Corporation of today,” said Ada, the first Guam-born local to serve as CEO in SPPC's history.

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Junior Achievement, Pacific AI Media team up to expand AI and career education

Junior Achievement of Guam Inc. and Pacific AI Media & Communications have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand access to educational programming, mentorship and workforce development opportunities to prepare Guam’s students for success in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

The agreement was signed on Aug. 5 at the GTA Experience Center Conference Room in Tamuning.

Through the agreement, Pacific AI Media & Communications will support Junior Achievement Guam programs by providing experienced professionals to serve as mentors, instructors, facilitators, guest speakers, judges and industry experts.

“This partnership allows us to introduce students to rapidly growing industries while helping them develop the leadership, communication and entrepreneurial skills needed for their futures,” said Joshua Miller, executive director of Junior Achievement Guam.

The collaboration will also support programs such as Success Through AI Mastery, Data Science and JA Pitch Master, along with additional workshops, classroom sessions, competitions, conferences, career events and other youth development initiatives.

A major focus of the partnership will be responsible and ethical technology use. Programming will help students understand topics such as artificial intelligence bias, privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation, intellectual property, academic integrity and responsible digital citizenship.

“That means understanding which data matters, where their data goes, who benefits from it and, most importantly, how to protect what belongs to our community,” said Marissa Eusebio Borja, founder of Pacific AI Media & Communications. 

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