Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has appointed Uso Lago’o and Liu Siakisone Liu to the ASG Shipyard Service Authority's nine-member board of directors, whose membership is not subject to Fono confirmation due to the fact the shipyard authority was created by executive order, which occurred about three years ago.

Lago’o fills the vacancy left when board member Leilua Stevenson accepted a full time position with Tri Marine International’s Samoa Tuna Processors Inc., while Liu replaces Unasa Leroy Ledoux, who has accepted a full time post with the government, according to Lolo’s nomination memos.

(Samoa News should point out that Stevenson had originally resigned from the board to take up a post as LBJ Medical Center's chief financial officer, but has since left to join Tri Marine.)

Board chairman David Robinson said the two new board members were to meet with him yesterday afternoon and that Uso committed — during last week’s board meeting — to be the lead board member in the shipyard’s joint Maritime Training Academy, which is to be housed at the shipyard compound in conduction with the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs.

“High Talking Chief Uso is very keen on taking up this important task, which will provide necessary training to local residents,” Robinson said, adding that Uso will not get any extra compensation for this, except for his annual $5,000 stipend, which all board members receive, while the chairman receives $6,000.

In his memo, Lolo said Lago’o, a military veteran, was “honorably discharged after gaining over 20 years of practical experience in administration and management.”

Upon his return to the territory, Lago'o served in ASG as Fagaalu village mayor for over ten years and “successfully spearheaded" the Environmental Preservation Project, which earned the village federal financial support to pilot a community partnership program dedicated to maintaining a clean and healthy living environment for village residents.

Lolo said this type of leadership ability ensures Lago’o’s positive contribution to the shipyard board.

The other new board member, Liu Siakisone Liu, is a “seasoned professional” who spent over 25 years working for the Port Administration Department several years ago, said Lolo, adding that Liu rose to the management ranks and later served as deputy director at the Port.

Liu “is a self-starter and he is very aggressive in exploring and implementing new ideas,” Lolo said. “This personal characteristic is reflected in numerous business endeavors which he has successfully conducted and this business experience will ensure his positive contributions to the work of the board as it attempts to reestablish the financial integrity and economic viability of this important government asset which has been left to deteriorate over the years."

He also said that Liu’s extensive experience in port-related activities and his vast business experience makes him a perfect addition to the board.

Lolo expressed his appreciation to the two new board members for accepting the invitation to use their management and leadership talents to supplement the leadership capacity of the current board.