StarKist Samoa officials briefed Governor Lemanu about the change in leadership at their parent company, and other developments at the cannery, at a meeting in the Governor’s Office Thursday.
As Mr. Young Choi has taken over as President and CEO of StarKist Co., replacing Mr. Chae Ung Um, who has only been in the position since January.
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.
General Manager of StarKist Samoa, Mr. Injoo Ha, informed the Governor that StarKist Samoa underwent an audit this 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.
Mr. Ha also informed the Governor about the cannery’s normal two-week shutdown, which starts Dec. 18, 2023.
The shutdown will allow the cannery to undergo maintenance and continue infrastructural upgrades at its Atu’u plant.
StarKist has chartered the MV Lady Samoa to take employees, most of whom are from Samoa, home for the holidays.
The first day of production for the cannery next year is January 3.
