Jessicka "Numie" Acker
Food & Beverage Manager
Numie, the oldest child of Bill & Patricia Acker was born in Yap on the 9th of July 1981 and graduated valedictorian of her class from Yap’s SDA high school in May of 1999. She attended the Australian International Hotel College in Canberra and graduated with a degree in Hotel Management in 2003. During her university days, Numie spent 3 months of intern work with the Hyatt Regency in Canberra as well as 3 months with the highly prestigious Kona Village Resort on the big island of Hawaii. Numie has worked at the Manta Ray Bay Hotel at various jobs continuously since she was 10 years old and is now the number 3 person at the resort.
Personal Promise: Guest satisfaction is a mission that I take very seriously. I promise to do everything in my power to insure that each and every guest’s needs are fully met in terms of food quality, food presentation, price to value and I promise to do it with a smile on my face and a big island welcome for every one of our valued customers.
Cyril
"Odd Job" Thaley
Assistant Food & Beverage Manager
Born in Yap on the 7th of July, 1960. Cyril spent 19 years in Texas furthering his education, working in meat processing plants and assisting his wife with her work in a restaurant chain. Cyril moved home to Yap and began working at the Manta Ray in February 1990. Having spent the past 17 years working with us, Cyril has learned a tremendous amount and is invaluable in keeping our staff motivated and ensuring a smooth flow in the restaurant. He is usually here by 5 AM six days a week and we are proud to have him.
Quote: "Mogethin ya'll!" (Like we said, half Texan half Yapese)
Helen Limed
2nd Assistant Food & Beverage Manager
Born in Yap on the 26th of November 1983 and graduated from Yap High School in 2001. Helen then went to the Community College of Micronesia where she earned her AA degree in Tourism. She has been working at the Manta Ray Bay since early 2006 and will be with us until she decides on her next college. She wants to get her 4 year degree in Tourism and is trying to decide between the University of Hawaii, Michigan State University or perhaps the Australian International Hotel School. We are very much counting on her coming back to us when she finishes her degree as she is excellent with guests and staff alike.
Quote: "Working at the Manta Ray is a dream come true. I am learning so much from Bill Acker as well as from the F&B Manager, Numie. This experience has reinforced my desire to make the hospitality business my vocation. Thank you Manta Ray team for making this all possible."
Kadek Budiana
Executive Chef
Born in Bali on the 21st of June 1975 and graduated from the Bali Hotel Tourism College in 1995. After school, he began his career at the Bali Cliff Resort as an apprentice cook. In 1997, Kadek moved to the Radisson Bali Hotel as a cook. From the Radison, Kadek left in 1998 and moved to the Four Seasons Resort in Ubud, Bali as first cook. He moved to Dubai in 2004 and worked at the Jumeirah Hotel as the Demi Chef de Partie. After a year in Dubai, Chef Kadek moved to the Ritz Carlton Resort as the Demi Chef de Partie and was at the Ritz until he was offered the opportunity to join his friend Chef Wayan at the Manta Ray Bay Hotel in Yap. In June 2007 he replaced Wayan as Executive Chef.
Favorite Food to Prepare: "My specialty is breads and deserts. I take great pride in producing foods using all local ingredients and have found it fascinating to work with Micronesian foods. The base is much different to what I am used to in Bali but I have managed to turn quite a few heads with some of my dessert specials."
Jocelyn
Moreno
Waitress
Born in Manila, Philippines on the 16th of June, 1978 and completed High School at Cayetano Arellano High in 1995. Jocelyn attended college at Lyceun of the Philippines in Manila where she studied hotel management. She came to Yap in August of 1999 in order to be with her father who is a noted tailor on the island. Jocie has worked at the Manta Ray Bay Hotel since that time and constantly has a smile for everyone.
Quote: "I enjoy the hotel/restaurant business and nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing happy guests. I hope to meet you at the Manta Ray Bay Hotel one of these days."
Jimmy Flamar
Bar tender
Born in Yap on the 23rd of December 1981 and graduated from Yap High School in 2002. Attended College of Micronesia studying accounting (keep a close eye on your bar tab around this guy). Jimmy is married with a small girl. He began working with us in June of 2004 and has steadily worked his way up the ladder and is currently our head bartender and as such, he is in charge of properly dispensing each frosty mug of freshly brewed Manta Gold Beer from the Stone Money Brewing Company.
Quote: "I really like being a bar tender because I get to meet and talk to people from all over the world. Yap’s culture is fascinating but I now get to learn about other cultures from around the world and that makes every day an interesting day for me. Come see me at the Crow’s Nest Bar when you next visit my island."
Jennifer Rungun
Waitress
Born in Yap on the 10th of October 1978 and graduated from Palau High School in 1999. Attended Palau Community College for 2 years and received an Associates Degree in Office Administration. After school, Jennifer came back to Yap and stayed home for a couple of years. She began working at the Manta Ray Bay in early 2004 (maybe she was the cause of typhoon Sudal?) and has been with us since. Jennifer normally handles the breakfast shift and, as such, is one of the first people you will see as you begin your day in Yap. She’s very personable and you will love getting to know here.
Quote: "I like all types of people and all types of music. Put the two together and you have the Crow’s Nest Bar on a busy night. I am happiest when the moon is full, the customers are happy and active and the bar is crowded."
Juliet "Where's Romeo?" Leegroy
Waitress
Born in Yap on the 15th of September 1983 and graduated from Yap High School in 2002. Began working for Yap Cooperative Association after high school and moved to the Manta Ray in January of 2005. Juliet is certainly one of the most popular and best waitresses we have. She generally works the breakfast shifts and helps get our divers off to a great start with their day.
Personal profile: Sorry guys, she’s married and has a little girl.
Freddy Gull
Brewmeister for the Stone Money Brewing Company
Born in Zurich, Switzerland on the 24th of April 1945 and after high school in Zurich, attended chef’s apprentice school at the Gewerbeschule. From there Fredy worked his way up to Executive Chef positions with such organizations as Hyatt Regency Bali, Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu and Shangrila Fiji and the Palau Pacific Resort. After a little over 20 years in the kitchen, Fredy decided to make a career change and became a PADI dive instructor. He first came to Yap as Dive Operations Manager for Yap Divers in 1994 and has been with us since that time.
In 1999, we began the Stone Money Brewing Company and in September of 2001, Fredy officially took over as Brewmeister and has been producing European quality beers since that time. The current micro brewery, located in the new lobby of the Manta Ray Bay opened for business with our first brew on February 14, 2006 and Fredy currently produces a little over 250 liters a week but has the capacity to double that.
Quote: "I enjoy this position because it combines my past training and skills as a chef with my love of beer and my background in the hospitality industry. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching people at the Crow’s Nest bar enjoying my beer and listening to their comments. Come visit us and taste for yourself our freshly brewed Lager beers. Remember our slogan – drink, pee and repeat."
Judy Pedrosa
Assistant Bar Tender/Pool Man
Born in Illoilo, Philippines on the 21st of April 1979 and graduated from West Visayas State University High School in 1996. Went to college at AMA Computer College and obtained a BS degree in Computer Science in 2000. After graduating from college, Judy worked in Montana Crystals Corporation as Assistant Operations Manager until October of 2002 when he transferred to ILE Company as Manager for Bacolod City. In 2004, Judy moved to Yap to help his father, Teolu our Plant and Property Maintenance Manager with the rebuilding necessitated by typhoon Sudal which destroyed part of the Manta Ray Bay in April of 2004. Judy is very talented and is a hard worker. There are no jobs here that he can’t handle and he readily offers a helping hand to employees and guests alike. We are very proud of our new fresh water infinity swimming pool and Judy keeps it sparkling clean at all times.
Quote: "The challenges of working in a company this size with this many different functions is very rewarding. There is never a dull moment and I especially enjoy the evening when I am working the bar as I like meeting different people and talking with them about their homes and background."
Detlef Trux
Maintenance Manager S/V Mnuw
Born on the 20th of September 1959 in the former East German city of Dresden, Germany and graduated from EOS High School in Freital, Germany in 1977. After high school, Detlef was an apprentice roofer from 1977 until 1979. When he finished his apprenticeship, he worked for 4 years as a roofer in Freital when the East German Army called him for his mandatory military service. In 1983, he was discharged from the military and began working on his master’s degree as a roofer until 1987 when he completed school and began his own roofing company where he worked until he sold the company in 2001 when he visited Yap as a tourist and fell in love with the S/V Mnuw (not to mention his current wife – Ruth). Married with 2 children, Detlef is making his mark in Yap and we hope he will be with us for years to come.
Quote: "What for the kind."
Tiger - The Cat Tiger makes sure that the fish are fresh. He also guards the diving equipment...