(MV) — Jose ‘Joeten’ Camacho Tenorio’s early foray in insurance in the mid 1960s became a precursor to the establishment of Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc. A brilliant businessperson, ‘Joeten’ partnered with Ernie Milne in founding Micronesian Insurance Underwriters (MIU), the first locally established insurance agency under the United Nations- administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Driven by passion and love for the community, Joeten embarked on a journey with Milne – through MIU – to find new areas for growth for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Joeten believed that the time was rife for the islands to find a partner in insurance to further expand its ability to write larger risk— a critical aspect in attracting new investors that would support the people and the expansion of the domestic economy.
Joeten’s desire was to allow the people of the Northern Marianas to have a real chance of obtaining loans to build their dream home, buy cars, open a business, and, importantly, to have an insurance policy that would keep the promise of reliability and protection. Joeten’s aspiration supported the island government’s desire to be economically self-sufficient, which is pivotal as the Northern Marianas press for self-determination to be self-governing member of the American family.
Joeten’s personal journey will remain a motivational story for the people of the Northern Marianas. His desire to expand the insurance industry reflects his personal journey rooted in hard work as a businessman. His determination, discipline, and motivation led him to successfully create businesses that respond to the needs of the people: retail, wholesale, hospitality, shipping, gasoline, auto dealership, stevedoring, pharmacy, and banking, to name a few.
Joeten recognized that the reputation he built for himself was also because of the support of his wife, Soledad ‘Daidai’ Takai Tenorio—his pillar of support. Together, they would become respected – and influential – members of the community. But notwithstanding their influence as a couple, Joeten would pursue a dream of an insurance agency backed by a major principal insurance carrier. This built and strengthened Joeten’s commitment and relationship with the local community.
With Joeten’s pioneering business foray, he had an expert by his side: the late Joe Screen, who’s widely known and highly respected for his business acumen. He helped Joeten to masterfully grow and diversify his portfolio. Joe Screen played a major role in helping secure the appointment by TMI, along with Tatsuru Ariizumi as NBK’s representative.
Joeten has helped create an industry for the Northern Marianas and its people.
