Lee P. Webber, Honolulu Advertiser president and publisher, was named Guam Business Executive of the Year last night at an awards ceremony at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa in Tumon, Guam.

Webber, a former resident of Guam and publisher of the Pacific Daily News there, was among eight executives nominated for the 2007 award.

"It's truly an honor to be recognized by your community," Webber, the 26th Guam Business Executive of the Year, told the crowd at the gala event. "I thank you all."

Webber, a Pennsylvania native, started his business career in 1970 at the Pacific Daily News, where he was manager of Circulation Sales. He went on to head the circulation and marketing departments of the paper before becoming publisher in 1983.

While in Guam, Webber was active in a number of community groups, including the Navy League of the United States, Guam Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America and the Guam Visitors Bureau, among others, as well as being a member of the University of Guam Board of Regents.

Webber became president and publisher of The Advertiser in August 2007.