Frankie Eliptico *

Representing CNMI, Vice President, Administration and Advancement, Northern Marianas College

Frankie Eliptico is vice president of administration and advancement at Northern Marianas College (NMC). He previously served as the interim president of the college for three years and led recovery efforts in the aftermath of the unprecedented damage caused by Super Typhoon Yutu, which destroyed nearly 85% of all college facilities. His work on NMC marketing and branding efforts has been recognized nationally, and he was named Communicator of the Year in the District VI (Western U.S.) region of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. In addition to being a WICHE commissioner, he is involved in numerous local and regional educational and environmental work throughout the Pacific, and he sits on the board of governors of the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies.

Rodney Jacob

Representing Guam, Attorney, Partner, Calvo Fisher & Jacob LLP

Rodney Jacob is a partner in Calvo Fisher & Jacob’s Guam office, past president of the Guam Bar Association and lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Guam. Jacob has worked extensively in leadership positions for schools and universities in the mainland U.S., Guam, Micronesia, and the Philippines to promote access to basic and higher education and for the purpose of advocating for those living on the margins in his community. In 2016 he took the lead in advocating for Guam’s membership in WICHE as part of the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States membership. Since that occurred six years ago, Jacob has worked to ensure that Guam’s and Micronesia’s political and educational leaders, students, and other stakeholders know of, and utilize, the benefits provided through WICHE.  

Jacob has also worked extensively to improve the administration of justice within the local and federal courts throughout Guam and Micronesia. He is admitted to the bar in California, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Jacob received his B.S. and J.D. from Georgetown University. He was the law clerk to Judge Lawrence Howard, Arizona Court of Appeals (1989-1990) and to Chief Justice Jose Dela Cruz, CNMI Supreme Court (1993-1995). He grew up in Tucson, Arizona.

Kalani Kaneko

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senator, Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Kalani Kaneko has served as a Senator in the Republic of the Marshall Islands Legislature since 2016 and represents the Capital City of Majuro Atoll. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Heath, Education, and Social Affairs (HESA) committee and has been a member for two terms.

In addition, Senator Kaneko is currently a member of the Marshall Islands Scholarships, Grant, and Loan Board (MISGLB). The MISGLB serves as oversight for the nation’s scholarship program for postsecondary education locally and overseas.

Senator Kaneko is a graduate of Post University with degrees in Marketing and Business Management.

Manny Gregory Castro

Senator, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Kalani Kaneko

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senator, Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Kalani Kaneko has served as a Senator in the Republic of the Marshall Islands Legislature since 2016 and represents the Capital City of Majuro Atoll. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Heath, Education, and Social Affairs (HESA) committee and has been a member for two terms.

In addition, Senator Kaneko is currently a member of the Marshall Islands Scholarships, Grant, and Loan Board (MISGLB). The MISGLB serves as oversight for the nation’s scholarship program for postsecondary education locally and overseas.

Senator Kaneko is a graduate of Post University with degrees in Marketing and Business Management.

Tina Rose Muña Barnes

Senator, Guam Legislature