Meet the Talaya Club staff and board members, who support community-based work and cultural fishing traditions.
Staff · Director
David Cabrera serves as the Director of Talaya Club.
He has spent his career supporting community-based work in the Northern Mariåna Islands.
He brings a deep passion for cultural practices and a strong commitment to the indigenous peoples and lifeways of our islands.
Youth Board Member
Chelsy Reyes serves as Talaya Club’s Youth Board Member.
She is pursuing an Associate’s degree in Natural Resources Management at the Northern Marianas College and plans to continue her education by earning degrees in Marine Biology and Wildlife Conservation.
Driven by her passion for protecting the environment—from ridge to reef—she is dedicated to preserving the natural resources of the Mariåna Islands through conservation, education, and community engagement.
Board Member
Cecilio Raiukiulipiy serves as one of Talaya Club’s Board of Directors.
He has spent much of his life building on a deep connection to the ocean, traditional seafaring, and the waters of the CNMI.
Through his work in water services and maritime-related community efforts, he has contributed to the well-being of local residents and the stewardship of island resources.
He is known for his long-standing commitment to sharing knowledge, supporting his community, and honoring the cultural traditions of the Pacific.
Board Member
Vincent Villagomez serves as one of Talaya Club’s Board of Directors.
He is a fisher, surfer, and conservationist who brings a strong connection to the ocean and island life.
His passion for protecting the natural resources is rooted in a deep respect for the relationship between culture and the environment.
He offers both lived experience and a commitment to preserving what makes the CNMI unique.
Lead Instructor
Jeremiah Benavente serves as the Lead Instructor for Talaya Club.
With over 16 years of experience as an educator in the CNMI Public School System, he is a lifelong learner who is passionate about sharing knowledge with others.
He has loved the ocean and the outdoors since he was young and learned to throw a talåya net from his father as a child.
Today, he is proud to carry on that tradition by sharing it with future generations.
