Imperial Pacific shuffles senior execs, Brown out as CEO

Saipan-based casino operator Imperial Pacific International Holdings is denying there’s trouble in paradise after appointing a new chief executive.

Last week, word spread that Imperial Pacific CEO Mark Brown (pictured) was no longer at the helm of the company, which operates the highly successful Best Sunshine Live ‘temporary’ casino and is preparing to open Phase 1 of its permanent venue, Imperial Pacific Resort Hotel Saipan, later this spring.

On Thursday, Brown contacted the Marianas Variety to set the record straight, saying “I did not resign. That’s incorrect. We are now structuring the company to be more efficient.” Brown’s CEO seat will be filled by Kwong Yiu Ling, Imperial Pacific’s current chief operating officer.

Brown said the company would soon be issuing a formal release announcing that he’d given up the CEO position to become chairman of Imperial Pacific’s board of directors. Brown said he’s been spending most of his time “on the road, with investment groups, promoting Saipan to investors” while Kwong “will be in charge of day-to-day operations in Saipan.”