Governor names new Executive Director for ARPA Oversight Office

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — James John Faumuina has been appointed as the Executive Director of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Oversight Office, a key role responsible for ensuring the effective management and compliance of federal relief funds. 

Faumuina replaces Uti Gebauer, who resigned from office last week. There was no explanation of Gebauer’s reason(s) for resigning.

The newly appointed ED initially joined the ARPA office in February as Deputy Director, a position he held previously at the Department of Human Resources. In a general memorandum, Governor Pulaalii N. Pula emphasized that Mr. Faumuina brings nearly two decades of diverse experience and extensive institutional knowledge acquired in both local and federal government sectors.

In his professional resume, Faumuina demonstrates his capability as a seasoned Team Leader possessing bilingual and cross-cultural competencies. He takes pride in his connection to a global network of skilled practitioners. With an open mindset, he is committed to challenging himself while upholding a profound sense of pride and integrity in developing innovative solutions to complex challenges, the memorandum states.

As a MBA professional with over 15 years of experience across the private, public, academic, and nonprofit sectors — ranging from multimillion-dollar organizations to small enterprises — he possesses a comprehensive understanding of an ever-evolving landscape, with a focus on enhancing processes and addressing issues.

Mr. Faumuina holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political and Historical Studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Governor Pulaalii highlighted that Faumuina’s rich expertise will be invaluable to the various agencies and organizations that are set to receive ARPA funds as they navigate the complexities of federal funding and adhere to U.S. Treasury policies outlined in the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Final Rule.

The governor noted that in his previous role as Deputy Director of ARPA, Mr. Faumuina demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic insight, which will be crucial in guiding and supporting compliance with both local and federal requirements regarding the appropriate utilization and management of the ARPA funding portfolio. His commitment to transparency and accountability will help ensure that federal resources are leveraged effectively to aid communities in recovery and resilience during these challenging times. 

In February, Governor Pulaalii issued a directive to department directors, stressing that all projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) must be prioritized. In a formal memorandum, the Governor stated that American Samoa is currently facing an “emergency situation” regarding the timely completion of crucial infrastructure and improvement projects. 

He emphasized, “It is imperative that we complete all work funded by the American Rescue Plan Act within 24 months. Failure to do so may result in American Samoa being required to return any unspent funds and could necessitate the reimbursement of a portion of already incurred expenditures.”

Governor Pulaalii reaffirmed his commitment to utilizing all available resources to ensure that personnel, services, and materials are accessible to both the American Samoa Government (ASG) and the private sector, facilitating the effective implementation of ARPA projects. 

He, along with the Lieutenant Governor, held meetings with the Senate President, the House Speaker, and other senior leaders within the executive branch to address the issue. “ASG is united in this endeavor,” the Governor asserted. A panel of advisors led by Faoa Aitofele Sunia will monitor the progress of ARPA projects and ensure they align with established expectations. The Governor highlighted the importance of adhering to legal requirements without taking shortcuts. He remarked, “If a barrier proves too significant for your workgroup to handle, do not become discouraged. Elevate the issue within your agency or department and collaborate to find a solution.” 

“This is a call to action,” declared the Governor. “It is not an invitation to engage in endless meetings or to assign blame. We must work collaboratively with our colleagues to address this shared emergency. I am confident in our ability to succeed for our island home.”

According to ASG’s 2024 Recovery Plan Performance Report, as of July 31, 2024, only $29.2 million had been spent, which represents just 5.91% of the $494.9 million allocated to the territory. All funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, with expenditures completed by December 31, 2026.