Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Officials of StarKist Samoa Co. met with Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga on Thursday, Dec. 7. 2023 where ASG leaders learned that StarKist is scheduled to produce Military Ready to Eat meals (MREs) next month.

GM Injoo Ha also said the cannery’s normal two-week shutdown starts Dec. 18, and will allow the cannery to undergo maintenance and continue infrastructural upgrades at its Atu’u plant.

Mr. Ha reported operationally that StarKist Samoa underwent an audit this past week by the US Department of Defense and is scheduled to produce Military Ready to Eat meals (MREs) next month. StarKist Co. Vice President of Supply Chain & Logistics Earl Moynihan is on island to support the DOD audit.

StarKist, which is the largest private sector employer in the territory, has chartered the MV Lady Samoa to take its employees, most of whom are from neighboring Samoa, to Samoa for the holidays and back on Jan. 2, 2024.

StarKist officials also detailed that StarKist Co. Chae-Ung Um, who was at the helm as President & CEO since January of this year, has decided to pursue new professional opportunities with Mr. Young Choi named the new President & CEO, StarKist Co.

According to StarKist Samoa General Manager Ha, this strategic decision comes in recognition of Mr. Choi's outstanding contributions as the Vice President of Finance, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since  joining the company in May 2022. Mr. Choi has been to American Samoa several times and has met with Governor Lemanu most recently during his trip in August 2023 to attend StarKist Samoa’s 60th Anniversary celebration.