Togiola appoints Navy retiree and
church minister to the ASPA board

Governor Togiola Tulafono has appointed Navy retiree and former ASPA employee Va’a Sokelati Fala, and local attorney Rev. Asaua Fuimaono to the board of the semi-autonomous agency.

Fala will replace former board member Joseph Yandall who recently resigned, while Fuimaono will replace current ASPA board chairman, Attorney General Fepulea’i Arthur Ripley Jr.

In a letter to the Fono leadership, Togiola said that the appointments are for the statutory term of four years. Under local laws, the ASPA board is to be composed of five board members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature.

The names of the two appointees have been submitted to the Fono for confirmation but since the Fono is in recess, and unless the Governor calls a Special Session, confirmation of the pair may not occur until the Fono reconvenes in January 2008 for the third regular session.

If confirmed, Fuimaono and Fala will join current board members Morris Scanlan, Norman H. Okamura, and Steve Felte.

In his letter, Togiola pointed out that Fala served twenty years in the US Navy in the area of personnel management, and he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in human resources management from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.

Fala joined the ASPA team as an administrative officer before transferring to LBJ Medical Center in 1984 as a health educator.

“As his work history demonstrates, Mr. Fala is no stranger to public service,” Togiola wrote. “Coupled with his experience and educational background, Mr. Fala will make a very fitting addition to the board.”

As for Fuimaono, Togiola said that the attorney “comes as a very qualified and educated individual fit for this appointment.”

Fuimaono was educated in Samoa and at universities in New Zealand. He has operated his own private law office for 20 years and worked as assistant attorney general at one time, prior to serving as counsel for U’una’i Legal Services.

Fuimaono is an active member of the American Samoa Assemblies of God Church where he serves as assistant superintendent.

“I believe you can see why these individuals are qualified for these appointments,” Togiola said. “I truly hope that you will give them your favorable consideration and confirm them as new directors for the ASPA board,” the Governor concluded.