Lifeboat Foundation

Environment, Blue Economy And Putting The Palauan People First — H.E. President Surangel Whipps Jr, Office of the President, Republic of Palau.

H. E. President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. is the 10th President of the Republic of Palau (https://www.palaugov.pw/executive-branch/president/).

President Whipps was formerly a two-term Senator having served in the 8th and 9th Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK, Palau National Congress) from 2009 through 2016. His Senate report card maintains his reputable record in policy making to promote and protect the best interests of Palauans, including: conducting more than 100 oversight hearings to promote transparency and accountability in delivery of government services, spearheading the first bill introduced in the 9th OEK that became law to increase the minimum wage since its enactment in 1997, and most recently, balancing Palau’s focus on developing and promoting human resources and fostering their economy, while striking a balance in the protection of the environment, putting the Palauan people first.

Prior to his career in politics, President Whipps had over 30 years of private sector experience managing one of the largest growing companies in Palau. As CEO and president of the Surangel and Sons Company, he led the expansion from a one floor store with 50 employees, to a diversified company employing over six-hundred people.

President Whipps grew up in a family business that started with his parents improvising to sustain their living by opening a restaurant, fishing and selling their catch, taking tourists out to the rock islands and diving, and selling goods out of their house.

President Whipps’ experience is combined with his formal background earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in economics from Andrews University in Michigan and an MBA from Anderson Graduate School of Management at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

President Whippsʻ slogan — “A Kot a Rechand er Belau” (Palauan People First) actually originated from his father, who was active in the Save Palau movement to protect Palauʻs marine resources, and who ran for congress many times before being elected. In response to unfair treatment in the workplace, lack of career opportunities for Palauans, challenges hindering young Palauan entrepreneurs, and the unchecked exploitation of Palauʻs national resources, the slogan represented conviction that Palauans.
must reap the opportunities Palau has to offer, and the commitment to push for the improved welfare of Palauans to be foremost in their country by their government.