Anita Blas has been serving in the capacity of Executive Director for the Guam National Olympic Committee (GNOC) since 1998, when she was hired by then Secretary General and former Speaker of the Guam Legislature, Senator Benjamin J. ‘BJ’ Cruz, and approved by the Board of Directors to lead Team Guam’s administrative, marketing, fundraising, and compliance efforts.
Most recently, Blas was recognised by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) for her service during the hosting of the XXV ANOC General Assembly at the Creta Convention Centre in Crete, Greece.
Blas’ tenure with GNOC began in 1992 when Cruz and President – Ricardo Blas – asked her to assist with the hosting of the 1994 Micronesian Games as a volunteer marketing consultant. In 1995, she took over the role as Executive Assistant as the only temporary employee of GNOC on a rotational period with the money allotted to them through the IOC grant and sponsorships which would usually last for a period of nine months per year. She authored the first rejection of an IOC sponsorship as she was able to find local support to fund programs on the island over the amount provided by the IOC. With this, the IOC eventually recognised the funding prowess of the organisation and provided an enhanced version of the sponsorship.