Nominees for scholarship board and DYWA director submitted to Senate

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga’s four nominees to the American Samoa Student Financial Aid Board — referred to as the Scholarship Board — and a nominee for director of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) were introduced in the Senate on Tuesday this week.

SCHOLARSHIP BOARD

In his letter Aug. 5th nomination letter to Fono leaders, the governor nominated Rev. Mataio Failauga, Donna Gurr, Ruth Matagi-Fa’atili, Dr. Robin Faumuina-Vasai, and Lisa Gebauer to four-year terms.

The governor explained that Rev. Failauga has pastored the Congregational Christian Church of Fagamalo village since 2018. A graduate of Leone High School, he is a US Army veteran. Upon retirement from military service in 1999, he attended Kanana Fou Theological Seminary from June 2006 to July 2010.

For Gurr, who retired in 2014 from the local Education Department “after 31-years of exemplary service” she served as a teacher, vice principal, principal and assistant director. She was also a part time instructor for the University of Hawaii at Manoa Cohort Program.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction from California State University-Long Beach. And Gurr has served as a member and vice chair of the board since 2017.

For Matagi-Faatili, who has served on the board since April 2017, she is currently President of the government’s Development Bank of American Samoa. For over 20-years she has worked in the banking industry, serving in many capacities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Human Resources from San Diego State University.

According to the governor, Dr. Faumuina-Vasai has been a physician with the US Department of Veterans Affairs for the past ten years and also an Adjunct Faculty of the American Samoa Community College where she teachers courses on health-related subjects. She holds a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Maternal and Child Health. Additionally she has a Doctorate of Medicine from the Ross University School of Medicine.

For Gebauer, the governor said the nominee is a Human Resources leader with 20 years of professional work experience in both the public and private industries. She served as an Employment Development and Specialist and a Senior Human Resources Analyst in California,

For the past 10-years, Gebauer has served as both Telecommunications Manager and Human Resources director for privately owned Bluesky Communications. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources and a Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology from California State University-Fullerton.

Lemanu noted in letter that the Senate President’s appointment of Sen. Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet — currently the board chairman — as well as the House Speaker’s appointment of Rep. Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i to the board, “were well received.”

The Fono leaders were also informed that, in accordance with local law, the “non-voting, ex officio” board members are Human Resources director Lynn Pulou-Alaimalo, Education director Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli, and American Samoa Community College president Dr. Rosevonne Pato.

The Financial Aid Board is one of the government’s boards that residents are always keen on knowing information and background on the members. For the scholarship board, the interest comes from parents and others as the members are the ones that select and award ASG scholarships to both public and private high school graduates.

DYWA DIRECTOR-NOMINEE

For DYWA director, the governor has nominated Dr. Salote Aoelua-Fanene, who was initially submitted for Fono confirmation during the early days of the Lemanu Administration but was later withdrawn when she traveled off island for medical reasons, but recently she has returned to the territory.

In his letter to Fono leaders, the governor said that Dr. Aoelua-Fanene has returned from her emergency medical leave and “is eager to serve the people of American Samoa.” Her resume was also submitted to the Fono as part of the review.