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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – American Samoa
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Thursday, November 29, 2007)
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(684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 731-8989
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Governor’s Economic Development Advisory Council convenes initial meeting |
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Co-Chairpersons for the Governor’s Economic Development Advisory Council - Mr. David Robinson (right), President of the Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Oreta Mapu Togafau, Governor’s Senior Policy Advisor, lead discussions of the initial Council meeting today at H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei. The purpose of the Council is to provide significant input, constructive feedback and additional perspectives on specific economic development implementation strategies. The Council, appointed this week by Governor Togiola Tulafono, is composed of 25 members of key private sector leaders. |
(UTULEI) - The Governor’s Economic Development Advisory Council convened its initial meeting today at H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei. The Council, appointed this week by Governor Togiola Tulafono, is composed of 25 members of key private sector leaders. The purpose of the Council is to provide significant input, constructive feedback and additional perspectives on specific economic development implementation strategies for American Samoa.
Governor Togiola expressed his gratitude to the Council for accepting the appointment to serve and he welcomed their representation as it will enhance the Territory’s economic development strategies and create a stronger connection between government and the private sector.
“I very much appreciate your acceptance of the invitation to serve on the Council and I truly believe that your contribution is the key to creating solid and effective policy,” said Governor Togiola. “You are all professional economic development leaders that will appropriately assist in achieving a higher level of awareness and understanding of significant issues, challenges and progress associated with the continuing development of the Council.”
Co-Chairpersons for the Council are Mr. David Robinson, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Oreta Mapu Togafau, Governor’s Senior Policy Advisor.
Mr. Robinson also thanked the members for their participation and told the Council that he looks forward to their valuable input to the many initiatives associated with the development of the Council.
“We are very serious here. So, if you feel you don’t want to take this seriously this is the time to raise your hand. We in the private sector are a large group. Together we can make a lot of noise to get things done,” said Mr. Robinson.
An Executive Committee was formed from chairs of subcommittees and will meet on December 18 to discuss specific strategies and report back to the Advisory Council.
Joining Governor Togiola at the inaugural meeting were Lauvao Steven Haleck - MHJ Development Corporation, Va’amua Henry Sesepasara - Pago Pago Fisheries, Alphonso Pete Galea’i - COS Samoa Packing, Robert J. Uhrle - Toa Communications, Mary Anderson - Lesco Appliances, Vui Florence Saulo - Florence Saulo & Associates, Brian Glass - Bank of Hawaii, Lautogia T. Taula - E&W Construction, Wallace Thompson - Sea Captain, Leusoga William Emmesley - ASCC Workforce Development, Gary Ayres - ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank, Vince Haleck - South Pacific Express, Poe Mageo - Pago Airport Inn, Ainu’u Ta’ase Amosa - Samoa Post, Tom Drabble - Dateline Industries, Ben Solaita - SouthWest Marine, Taulapapa William Sword - BP Oil South-West Pacific, Leilua Stevenson - StarKist Samoa, Ethan Lake - Blue Sky Communications and Robin Annesley Dalton - Samoa News. Also appointed on the Council and were unable to attend: Michael Reid - CEO of Reid Companies, Sione Kava - Office of Petroleum Management, Fiti Sunia - Pago Pago Times, Dean Hudson - Fletcher Construction and Andy Forsgren - Forsgren Ltd.
Governor Togiola also appointed to the Council, as non-voting members, Mageo Umaleava Ieti - Director of Human Resources, Apefa’i Taifane - Director of Agriculture, Matagi Ray Mailo McMoore - Director of Port Administration, Aleki Sene - Executive Director of ASTCA, Michael Keyser - Acting CEO of ASPA, Dr. Claire Poumele - Director of Education, Dr. Seth Poumele Galea’i - Vice President of ASCC, and Fanuatele Dr. Vaiaga’e To’afa - Director of ASEPA.
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