PRESS RELEASE – Guam Shipyard Wolverines’ Peter Toves and Wings FC’s Duane Pahl were the top vote getters in an election held at the 2023 Guam Football Association Congress for five vacant seats on the GFA Executive Committee held Tuesday evening at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
Toves, new to the committee, garnered nine out of a possible 12 votes and will serve his first four-year term following the election. Pahl, who also received a total of nine votes out of a possible 12, returns for another four-year term. Also voted in were incumbent members Fred Alig II, Kelley Barnhart, and Gian Tenorio. The other two candidates in the election, Joaquin Cook and Jason Cunliffe, each received six of a possible twelve votes, just one shy from Alig and Tenorio, who each garnered seven votes to take the fourth and fifth vacant seats in the Executive Committee.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the GFA Congress members in attendance who exercised their right to vote,” said Joe Cepeda, GFA General Secretary, who facilitated the Congress event.
“With the election over and the five Executive Committee members voted in for the 2023-2027 term, I look forward to the collaborative effort by all Executives and GFA stakeholders to advance football in Guam and to meet goals and objectives as outlined in GFA’s four-year strategic plan, ‘Growth Planning for the Next Generation.’ This working group of volunteer-based individuals passionate about football in Guam will be key in supporting GFA – its athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and staff – for the exciting years ahead.”
The five members voted in join GFA President Valentino San Gil, Vice Presidents George Lai and Tina Esteves, and sixth member Craig Wade on GFA’s Executive Committee.
In another key vote, Congress members voted 8-4 in opposition to the suspension of member club Tigers SC. Tigers SC had been issued a notice of temporary suspension by the GFA Executive Committee for not meeting the minimum requirements as a Member Club in 2023 under Article 18 of the current GFA Statutes. According to Article 19 of the GFA Statutes, only the Congress has the power to fully suspend members. A 2/3 majority vote done by secret ballot is required to officially suspend a GFA Congress member.
All election and voting procedures were handled by the independent GFA Electoral Committee chaired by Atty. Fred Horecky.
During the evening event, the Hon. Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam, was present and gave opening remarks that highlighted GFA’s efforts in serving the local community by providing opportunities for success through football. The Congress also included an address by GFA President Valentino San Gil and a presentation by GFA Vice President and GFA Finance Committee Chairman George Lai on GFA’s finances.
Chima Mbakwem, chairman of the independent Strategic Plan Review Committee, also gave remarks on GFA’s progress with its strategic plan, “Growth Planning for the Next Generation” among other items on the agenda. Additionally, at the conclusion of the election, GFA President Valentino San Gil presented a Certificate of Appreciation to outgoing GFA Executive Committee member Joe Roberto, who opted not to run for another term.
Special guests from FIFA – Jun “CJ” Chen, Lavin Vignesh, and Mike Wong, as well as AFC – Yasuko Takano and Bowen Ying – attended the GFA Congress event.
The event was available to watch online via Live Stream at https://youtube.com/live/KOLStNwOmTM
