About Us

Mr. Kevin Mesebeluu was appointed to the Board on October 10, 2018. He served as the Director of the Bureau of Tourism, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Tourism from 2018 to 2020, Program Manager for Ngardok Nature Reserve from 2013 to 2017 and  Commercial Loan Analyst for the National Development Bank of Palau from March 2013 to 2014.

Mr. Mesebeluu currently works with local communities to plan and implement Managed Access Areas plus Reserves for sustainable coastal fisheries under the Rare’s Fishing for Climate Resilience program funded by the German Federal Environment Ministry’s International Climate Initiative (IKI). In 2022, he collaborated with Palau’s Bureau of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment to design and build Palau’s first National Fisher Registration System. With the completion and turn over of the registry system to the government, Mr. Mesebeluu is now utilizing behavior change principles to have community adoption of the registry across all sixteen states of Palau.

In 2020, Mr. Mesebeluu cofounded the Alliance of Climate Resilient Island Societies, with a vision to create networks of conservation professionals that innovate under the umbrella of sustainable resource management and restorative tourism.

He has extensive knowledge in conservation and fisheries and is very active in enabling changes in the community geared toward sustainable practices. Mr. Mesebeluu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Management.

Ms. Claire Harvey became Ex-officio member of the Board in March 2016 by virtue of position as President/CEO of National Development Bank of Palau, pursuant to the Financial Institutions Act. Ms. Harvey has extensive work experience, well over 30 years, in the banking industry and has been active in consulting to small, medium and large businesses; providing assistance in a wide range of areas including leadership, management, financial acumen, strategic planning, executive and CEO coaching, and others.

Jennifer Gibbons was appointed to the Board on October 17, 2013. She is Sole Proprietor of JK & Associates, a marketing consultancy.  Gibbons is co-founder of the Palau Legacy Project and the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Palau Pledge.  Ms. Gibbons was a Pew Charitable Trusts consultant and adviser who directed the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project in Palau resulting in the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Campaign which was signed into law in 2015. She served as an executive director of the Palau Chamber of Commerce from 2011 to 2016 and has more than two decades of strategic marketing and project management experience in New York, Guam and Palau.

She has served as a Board Director of the Friends of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary since 2016 and has served on numerous other boards, including Palau Community Action Agency, Belau Tourism Association, Vice Chairman of the Palau Public Utilities Corporation, President of the Palau Chamber of Commerce, Palau Sport Fishing Association, and Financial Women’s Association among others. Previous to living in Palau Gibbons worked for TD Bank Financial Group in New York. Ms. Gibbons has a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Santa Clara University in California.

Ms. Landisang Kotaro was appointed to the Board on October 30, 2018. Ms. Kotaro has served as Senior Legal Researcher and Committee Advisor for the House of Delegates since October 2013, for the 9th and 10th Palau National Congress, and she also served as Committee Assistant to the Senate Ways, Means & Financial Matters Committee in the 8th Palau National Congress. She served as Adviser/Fellow on Oceans and Seas to the Palau Mission to the United Nations in New York from January to December 2016. She has been involved in numerous volunteer work, including Utah Food Bank (2005-2009), Barack Obama Colorado & Utah Presidential Campaign (2008), Seattle, WA Food Lifeline (2008), ROOTS Youth Homeless Overnight Shelter (2008), Palau National Youth Council (2010 to present), Ngchesar Youth Organization (2010 – present), and Read to lead Project (2015) among others. Ms. Kotaro is co-founder of Pacific Islander Student Outreach (2008-2009) and a Generation 2 Fellow of the Pacific Islands Leadership Program at East-West Center, Hawaii (2014). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Studies with focus on Global Studies – Terrorism and Security and a Master of Arts degree in Asia-Pacific Studies with focus on China Studies.

Mr. Chilton was appointed to the board in December 2009.  Mr. Chilton is an Associate Professor for Social Science and Humanities with Palau Community College, the nation’s premier higher education institution. He is a PhD candidate in the University of Hawaii’s Futures Studies Program and has an extensive academic and professional background in political and social science. Mr. Chilton also possesses a tremendous amount of community leadership and community service experience, including serving on the Palau National Olympic Committee Board and numerous involvements with athletic programs for youth and adults.

Ms. Salii was appointed to the Board on October 28, 2011 and will serve a term of two years on the FIC Governing Board of Commissioners. She is currently Director of Finance for Palau Community College. Ms. Salii holds an MBA from National Taiwan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Denver.

Mr. Techitong was appointed as Chairman of the board on August 4, 2011. He has an academic background in Architectural Engineering. Mr. Techitong was Delegate for Ngatpang State from 2001 to January 2009 and has twice served as the Minister of Commerce and Trade: from 1990 – 1992 and again from 1997 – 2000. He was Executive Officer of the Ngatpang State Government between 1993 and 1997 and for ten years, he was the Manager for the WCTC Main Store.

Mr. Uyehara was appointed to the board on August 2005.  He holds a Masters of Business Administration from University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam, a Bachelor of Arts (triple major) in Biology, General Science, and Business Administration from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He has had other educations in Hawaii, and Guam Community College. He worked as a Branch Manager for The Associates Financial Services, responsible for overall operations of the branch office.  Managed Hawaii’s largest branch, and opened branches in Lihue, Kauai and Kapalama, Honolulu. Loan Officer of First Federal Savings and Loan; duties include origination and underwriting of residential loans. He also worked as a Construction Loan Officer for Bancorp Finance of Hawaii-Guam, Inc.; duties include origination, underwriting, and monitoring progress of single family construction loans. From 1989 to 1992, he worked as the Vice President of American Realty, Inc, and was assigned additional duties as the Acting General Manager of the Hotels in MaiAna, The Sun Route Hotel and The Guam Horizon Hotel and two restaurants.

Sandra D. Mincer was appointed President/CEO of the National Development Bank of Palau on August 13, 2012. She is the first Palauan woman to hold the position of President/CEO. She graduated class Valedictorian from Palau Mission Academy in 1980 and holds a double degree, Bachelor of Arts for Business & Economics with a specialization in Business Administration. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, Certified Examination Manager and Certified Public Manager, a three year program. Ms. Mincer has over 27 years experience in the financial industry at both the private sector and the public sector as a financial institutions regulator/examiner, supervision and Acting Deputy Commissioner.

Mr. Udui was appointed to the board on February 2002, he has years of experience in the Finance section of the Ministry of Administration and was the former President of the National Development Bank of Palau. He has further banking experience as having been previously a Business Banking Officer at Bank of Hawaii.  Mr. Udui holds a B.A. degree in Finance from University of Guam and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Hawaii.

Mr. Ngirmang was appointed to the board on March 9, 2004.  Mr. Ngirmang holds a  BS in Business Administration, concentration in operations management, from California State University at Long Beach.  He had one year MBA Program studies in Pepperdine University. Mr. Ngirmang is currently the Administrator of the Social Security Administration in the Republic of Palau. He finished his term as Chairman on March 25, 2011.

Mr. Nakamura is a retired civil servant and was appointed to the Board on July 2003 and was elected Chairman by a majority vote of the F.I.C. Governing Board.  Mr. Nakamura holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.  Mr. Nakamura is a business entrepreneur. Upon his appointment as Ambassador to Japan, his board membership ended in 2006.

Mr. Whipps was appointed to the board on October 2002.  Mr. Whipps holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Concentration in Economics from Walla Walla College in Washington State.  Mr. Whipps is currently Executive Vice-President of Surangel & Son’s Company and a Legislator for Airai State. His board membership ended in September 2008.

Mr. Ramarui was appointed to the board on February 14, 2009.  His term ended on February 14, 2010.

Mr. Bells was appointed to the board on July 2003 and was elected Vice Chairman by a majority vote of the F.I.C. Governing Board.  Mr. Bells holds a B.A. degree from University of Guam and a Maters degree of Public Administration (MPA) from University of Guam.  Mr. Bells is currently a Business Instructor at the Palau Community College. Mr. Bells’ board membership ended on January 16, 2005.

Mr. Rudimch  was appointed to the board on February 14, 2008. Mr. Rudimch is a business entrepreneur. Upon his election to the Senate, his board membership ended on January 15, 2009.

Mr. Moses was appointed to the board on March 9, 2004.  Mr. Moses holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Guam University and a Master of Applied Finance from the University of New Castle in Australia.  Mr. Moses was a loan officer at the National Development Bank of Palau at the time of his appointment to the board. His board membership ended on March 9, 2006.

Mr. Teriong was appointed to the board on March 22, 2006. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Armstrong University in Berkley, California. Mr. Teriong is the Chief Financial Officer for Palau National Communications Corporation. From 1989 to March 2004, he has worked in various areas for the Palau Community College, most recent of which was as Vice President of Administration & Finance. Mr. Teriong’s  board membership ended on September 25, 2007

Ms. Alexander was appointed to the board on September 8, 2006. Ms. Alexander is a Certified Public Accountant who is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Palau Public Utilities Corporation. Ms. Alexander’s board membership ended on January 16, 2008.