CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—President Arroyo has appointed one  of the pioneer members of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) board of directors as the new CDC chief.

Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) chairman Edgardo Pamintuan revealed during the forum on the SCAD Mega Logistics Hub held here that Mrs. Arroyo has appointed long-time CDC director Benigno  Ricafort as the new CDC president and chief executive officer.

Pamintuan said the President announced Ricafort’s appointment to the top CDC post in a meeting with local and Palace officials during her visit to Angeles City on Wednesday.

Ricafort, appointed to the CDC board of director in 1992 during the term of former President Fidel   Ramos, will replace outgoing CDC president Liberato Laus, who served from October 1, 2006, to July 30 of this year.

With a 15-year significant track record at the CDC board, Ricafort has served the government from the inception of the CDC and continuous liaison with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Ricarfort’s pioneering work at the CDC board provided him key participation and role in overseas and local investments, promotions and missions for Clark.

He has also actively participated in policy formulation, policy review and key Board Oversight Committee chairmanship and membership in the following areas: Executive Committee, Marketing and Investments Committee, and Revenue Monitoring and Antismuggling Task Force.

Ricafort’s extensive experience in Clark also played a key role in conflict resolution and the reorganization processes for each new CDC president.

His stint as CDC director spans seven CDC presidents from the inception of the state-owned corporation with full transparency, accountability and governance: Antonio Henson, Romeo David, Rufo Colayco, Sergio Naguiat, Emmanuel Angeles, Antonio Ng and Liberato Laus.

Ricafort earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration major in Economics at St. John’s University in New York. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Department of Trade and Industry’s Golden Shell Award in 1988; Most Outstanding Kapampangan, 1990; Most Outstanding Jaycee President of the World, 1977; and San Beda College Most Outstanding Alumus, 1978.

Ricafort is married to the former Nona Rojas Saldana and has two children, Raymond and Maria Monica, who are both entrepreneurs. 

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