Biography of His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps, Jr.
President of the Republic of Palau

11th Constitutional Government , 2021

Surangel Whipps, Jr. is the 10th President of the Republic of Palau. Inspired by his father’s childhood and humbling beginnings, Whipps is a two-term senator having served in the 8th and 9th Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK, Palau National Congress) from 2009 through 2016, when he first ran for the presidency. Whipps’ Senate report card maintains his reputable record in policy making to promote and protect the best interests of Palauans.  He conducted more than 100 oversight hearings to promote transparency and accountability in delivery of government services.  Whipps brings to the leadership role over 30 years of experience managing one of the largest growing company in Palau.

Whipps’ slogan – “A Kot a Rechad er Belau” (Palauan People First) actually originated from his father, who was active in the Save Palau movement to protect Palau’s marine resources, and who ran for congress many times before being elected

Whipps’ platform envisions Palauans to have improved quality of life and have incentives and opportunities to pursue their happiness.  As a result, they are the force that drives the progress of our island nation. One of Whipps’ primary policy priorities include a focus on developing and promoting our human resources and fostering the economy, while striking a balance in the protection of Palau environment with putting the Palauan people first.  His broad knowledge and vision for the island nation are enriched by his past and current participation in various community and non- and semi-governmental organizations that include the Compact of Free Association (COFA) Transition Committee, COFA Trust Fund Board, 2nd Constitutional Convention, Post Con-Con Political Education Committee, Council of Chiefs, Palau Conservation Society, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), Workforce Investment Act, Palau Chamber of Commerce, the Palau SDA School Board, Executive Committee Guam Micronesia Mission, Guam SDA Clinic, Palau Shipping Company, and Honorary Counsel of the  Republic of Korea to Palau.

His 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).  As a requirement for his MBA, Whipps was part of a team that conducted a field study in Palau in which the results are still applicable today and were shared with the executive and OEK at that time:  Policy Recommendations-Foreign Investment, Foreign Labor, and Minimum Wages. His initiation into the national government was as Special Assistant on economic matters and foreign policy to the late President Ngiratkel Etpison.

Whipps was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 9, 1968, while his Palauan father and American mother from Maryland, were working their way through college.  At the age of four, when his parents finished their schooling, they moved to Palau and has been their home since.  Whipps married Valerie Esang Remengesau in 1999. They are proud parents of three daughters.