One of Guam’s own, Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez, Ph.D., has been selected as the sole representative from Guam among 35 leaders in the 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leaders Asia-Pacific program. 

The program focuses on leadership development and civic engagement, granting participants the ability to enhance their skills and amplify their impact across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

“Ricky has been instrumental in the continued improvement of our airport, and we congratulate him on representing Guam in this prestigious program,” said Brian Bamba, Guam International Airport Authority Board Chairman. “I am confident he will represent Guam exceptionally well and we look forward to his continued leadership at the Airport.”

Born and raised in Guam, Dr. Hernandez has over 15 years of professional experience, much of which has been in public sector management including fiscal policy and finance, budget and accounting, and procurement and administration. 

He is currently the Deputy Executive Manager of the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam, Guam’s only commercial airport, and has also been an active Adjunct Faculty member in Accounting and Public Administration at his alma mater, the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration for over a decade.

His current public service also involves Treasurer and Investment Committee Chairperson at the Government of Guam Retirement Fund Board of Trustees, UOG President-appointed Member of the Board of Directors for the Research Corporation of the UOG, and Treasurer of the Supreme Court Justices-appointed Commission on Lawyer Regulation. 

He previously served as Deputy Administrator of the Guam Economic Development Authority and Director of the Guam Legislature’s Office of Finance and Budget.

“It is an honor and a privilege to represent our island and our people in this year’s Obama Leaders Asia-Pacific program,” said Dr. Hernandez. “I look forward to collaborating with leaders from across the region and applying these skills to better serve the people of Guam.”

As part of the six-month program, these dedicated changemakers will convene virtually every week for interactive sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community.