The Guam Visitors Bureau's board of directors met in executive session this afternoon. The public was not allowed to witness the discussion.  But we can tell you that the talks today were expected to include the board's pick for the bureau's next general manager.

The board members went behind closed doors once again. It’s unclear whether GVB voted for new leadership Wednesday as they quickly closed off the special meeting to the public. The meeting is a continuation from earlier this month where the board went into executive session for several hours to discuss what has only been identified as ‘potential litigation.’ The only other item on the agenda is the ‘resolution to hire [a] general manager.’

After about 40 minutes of executive session Wednesday, the meeting was quickly adjourned. 

Board chairman George Chiu wasn't able to say much, telling KUAM News, "Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to discuss the executive session. But there will be a regular scheduled board meeting February 27th where everything will be discussed out in the open."

Chiu was likewise unable to confirm or deny if board members already voted on new leadership, saying about whether a new GM was hired, "I can’t comment on that today. I’m not allowed to because it was the executive session."

However, he says everything will be revealed next Thursday. "We're very excited for the next upcoming board meeting,' Chiu noted. "I think that’s something that you will find out a lot more information on where we’re headed, who’s going to be driving what so that’s something you don’t want to miss. The February 27 meeting is something I’m looking forward to. Then we can discuss everything out in the open."

The months=-long search has been ongoing after former president and CEO Carl Gutierrez resigned last november. A record 13 applicants applied. 

As you may recall, GVB’s search committee recommended former senator Regine Biscoe Lee as president and CEO and Island Beverage Distributors general manager E.J. Calvo as vice president. Lee ranked top for the position to lead the bureau with Calvo coming in second.

Once again, this is all amid tourism recovery efforts as GVB works to revive visitor arrivals after the pandemic.