Nominees selected for TAOA, TEO, Program Planning and Budget, and Agriculture

Four more cabinet-directors and new members of the retirement fund board of trustees of the Lolo Administration were introduced yesterday in both the Senate and House for approval.
 
OFFICE OF PROGRAM PLANNING AND BUDGET
 
Catherine Aigamaua-Saelua is nominated as director of the Budget Office and neither the Senate nor the House have yet scheduled confirmation hearings. Aigamaua-Saelua has worked as a budget analyst and has held the position of Budget Deputy Director for the past five years and given many years in the budget office, which has prepared her to assume the role as the head of the agency.
 
She holds a Master Degree in Education from the San Diego State University, and received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount St. Mary’s College. In his letter to the legislature Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said he’s confident that Aigamaua-Saelua will do a good job as Director.
 
TAOA
 
Governor Lolo nominates Ale Tifimalae as the Director of Administration on Aging. Ale hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University. A former treasurer for the American Samoa Government, the governor says Ale has a wealth of experience and has served in many areas of the government, such as DOE Deputy Director of Finance and Support Services, Deputy Director for Program Planning and Budget Office and was also a supervisory tax specialist.
 
“These experiences will serve him well, as he overseas programs for our senior citizens. I am confident that Ale is very capable of serving as the Director of TAOA”. According to the resume attached with the letter from the governor, Ale also holds a Associate of Arts degree from Warren Wilson College.
 
TEO
 
Businessman Timothy Jones Sr, is nominated by the governor to head the Territorial Energy Office. In the governor’s letter to the Fono, he said Jones has many years of work experience in serving as a senior engineer, referencing his Navy service on the USN destroyer, the US Ingersoll, Operator of Bechtel North American Power 18MW Co-generation facility in California, Samoa Packing engineering Utilities Manager, General Manager of Hawthorne machinery and CEO of Extreme Power Inc., American Samoa.  
 
In Jones’ resume that was presented to the Fono, he says he wants to bring American Samoa into an era of acceptable energy costs via local renewable resources, which has been his vision.
 
He said American Samoa is perfectly located in the Pacific to become an energy- independent society, from the solar and wind to ocean energy and geothermal, he believes firmly that such an abundance of energy surrounds our island that under the proper management at the TEO the territory would become self sufficient with its energy needs and gain world recognition for its accomplishments in renewable energy.
 
“I am confident Jones will serve as the Director of TEO with a most efficient manner which will benefit our community” said the governor.
 
AGRICULTURE
 
Lealao Soloata Melila Purcell Jr. is nominated as Director for the Department of Agriculture. Lolo noted that Lealao was director for this department last year, and also served as consultant with the NEG (National Emergency Grant) program for the home gardening projects.
 
He also served as Manager with Star Kist Human Resources for more than 20 years, as well as the DOE for 12 years. He recently retired from the United States Army Reserve after serving for 20 years.
 
Lealao holds a Master of Education Degree from the University of Hawai’i, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brigham Young University. Lolo said he’s confident that Lealao will do a good job as the Agriculture Director.
 
RETIREMENT BOARD NOMINATIONS
 
Su’a Car Schuster, Talalemotu Mauga, Avamua David Haleck, John Marsh and Brandt "BJ" Judy are the governor’s nominees as members of the Retirement Fund Board of trustees.
 
In his letter to the Fono, Lolo said these individuals have lengthy records of service to their families and to the community at large.
 
Schuster, a successful businessman, served three terms as a faipule and while in the House of Representatives he was involved in retirement fund matters. Mauga is a former director of the Budget office and retired from that agency. Avamua is among the successful local businessmen, who’s currently managing the Haleck Group of Companies. Marsh is a retired from the Bank of Hawai’i, where he also served as Manager for the BOH in the territory. Judy is a retired executive with GHC Reid and Company and is the only old board member nominated to return to the board.
 
“All these nominees possess the requisite business and financial experience necessary to the continued successful administration of the retirement fund and I am sure you will agree they are more than capable of protecting and investing the fund’s assets to ensure the financial health of our present and future retirees” said Lolo in his nomination letter.