Exchange Pacific Region Commander Guest Speaker at AmCham Meeting
Pacific Region Commander Col. Michael Kovalchek was a guest speaker at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Okinawa’s March general membership meeting.
Kovalchek gave an overview of the Exchange’s mission and spoke on the importance of building future business opportunities with the Exchange.
From left, Navy Capt. Patrick Dziekan, Fleet Activities Okinawa; Army Col. Christopher Paone, 10th Support Group; Tony Sakuda, AmCham Okinawa President; Air Force Col. Jason Kane, 18th Mission Support Group; Col. Michael Kovalchek, Exchange Pacific Region Commander; and Marine Corps Col. Henry Dolberry Jr., Marine Corps Air Station-Futenma after the American Chamber of Commerce-Okinawa annual Commander’s Panel on March 4. Each commander detailed their command’s mission and emphasized the importance of maintaining good community relationships among both U.S. service members and the local community. (U.S. Army Photos by Staff Sgt. Mark A. Kauffman)
“Our mission is to support our service members, their families and Department of Defense civilians through providing goods and services that they are used to getting back in the States,” Kovalchek said. “The AmCham Okinawa meeting is a great way for the Exchange to reach out to local businesses who want to help us support our service members and become a business partner with the Exchange.”
Okinawa General Manager David Swenson and Assistant Services Business Manager Mori Gushiken also attended the event to lend their support and help create networks within the AmCham Okinawa community.
“I think this meeting was very beneficial for the Exchange,” Swenson said. “It is important for us to build and maintain our business relationships with all of the local vendors.”
AmCham Okinawa’s annual Commander’s Panel also featured commanders from all four major branches of the Armed Forces who serve on the island: Army Col. Christopher Paone, 10th Support Group; Air Force Col. Jason Kane, 18th Mission Support Group; Marine Corps Col. Henry Dolberry Jr., Marine Corps Air Station-Futenma; and Navy Capt. Patrick Dziekan, Fleet Activities Okinawa.
Each speaker detailed their command’s mission and emphasized the importance of maintaining good community relationships among both U.S. service members and the local community.
AmCham Okinawa is a nonprofit organization made up of more than 150 corporate and government members from American and Okinawan business communities.
Since 1953, the organization has been an accredited member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Their purpose involves connecting members through networking events, business and government seminars to help create contacts and develop business relationships.
