By Gina T. Reilly
Longtime Guam businessman Thomas Shimizu was named the Guam Business Magazine 2022 Executive of the Year, beating six other nominees to the annual business award.
Shimizu is the general manager of Ambros Inc., Marianas Pacific Distributors Inc., Shimbros International Inc., and South Pacific Distributors Inc.
The award was announced during a Feb. 11 fully-packed gala at the Hyatt Regency Guam, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the program.
“I started from the bottom and pretty much rotated through every job in every department except for accounting,” Shimizu said in an interview with Guam Business Magazine. “I did everything from washing trucks, deliveries, warehouse operations, even IT. When you know the day-to-day operations from the front line you know what it takes to get those tasks done.”
Shimizu is a 1987 graduate of Father Dueñas Memorial School graduate. He attended college at St. Louis University, where he earned a bachelor’s in business administration in 199. He interned at Anheuser Busch Partners.
Shimizu began building his career path at Ambros Group, according to Guam Business magazine.
He joined Ambros after graduation as IT manager, then moved to different divisions, including operations. At each position, Shimizu increased efficiency, reduced costs and improved performance, according to a press release from Glimpses Publications.
Other nominees for the award were:
Frank A. Cruz, vice president and general manager of Guam Fast Foods Inc., which does business as KFC Guam and Sbarro Guam.
Jimmy T.C. Hau, president, Mobil Oil Guam Inc., president, Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc. and president, Mobil Oil Micronesia Inc.
Charles B. Hazzard III, president, CEO and project director, DZSP 21.
Charlie S. Hermosa, general manager, Guam-Micronesia, APL; president, Bella Wings Aviation and Hermosa Ventures LLC, which does business as Guam Gift Baskets.
Siska S. Hutapea, founder and president of Cornerstone Valuation Guam Inc.
Ken Yanagisawa, general manager, the Tsubaki Tower and Hotel Nikko Guam; president/director, PHR Management Inc.; managing director, Ken Real Estate Lease Ltd.
The Executive of the Year award was launched in 1983, recognizing executives who have made outstanding contributions to the business communities of Micronesia. It has since been awarded annually, except in 2021 for 2020, when the program took a pause due to the Covid pandemic.
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