Longtime entrepreneur among six applicants for Guam Visitors Bureau President position

The search for the top of the helm at the Guam Visitors Bureau is ongoing with six applicants throwing their names in the hat for consideration. 

The Guam Visitors Bureau held a board meeting on Monday, giving its search committee the green light to start the interviewing process. 

Longtime entrepreneur Kaz Endo is among the GVB President and CEO hopefuls. Endo spoke with KUAM about his vision if selected for the job. 

“I’ve been really on the bench, meaning I’ve been behind the scenes—I think with the economy and the tourism industry being where it is, if you call Guam home and you’re concerned, you have to step up and at least put your name in the hat. Doesn’t mean you’re expecting it–doesn’t mean you’ll get it,” said Endo. 

Endo is the CEO of the advertising company 8Ronin and has worked with the GVB before in an event promoter capacity, putting on the “Konqer Sports” obstacle races. 

“I worked with a lot of the visitors bureau around Micronesia: Guam, Palau, and Saipan. So, in that capacity, I worked with them. Clients that are in the visitor industry–I’ve worked with many of those companies as well–many who have dealt with tourism over the years,” said Endo. 

Endo on why he is a good candidate for the role. 

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of qualified people who may have different  experiences than I do that make them better in some aspects of the job description–but all I can tell you is that I have a certain brand that I push for and I think Guam needs to be authentic and I think we need to have someone who has experience in working with an existing team and off-island teams,” added Endo. 

Today marks the last day to apply for G.M. the position.