Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has appointed Taito Ali’itasi Afuola-Mauga as Chief of Staff of the Office of the Governor.
Taito was president of Wightman, Crane and Stuart for well over two decades before she retired in 2023.
She was active in the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce and was Chair of the Chamber’s COVID-19 Economic Task Force in 2020. Taito ran for the House of Representatives seat for District #13 in 2012. She is the first woman to hold the position of Chief of Staff in the Governor’s Office.
KHJ News has asked for a list of the key staff at the Governor’s Office.
We have been told that there are two Executive Directors, Faafeo Lagafuaina and Sala Mataese. There are also several executive advisors to the Governor, though we have been unsuccessful in getting their names.
At the opening of the Fono yesterday, Morgan Suapilimai confirmed to KHJ News that he is the Communications Director. Fatima Langkilde is the Press Secretary. The Protocol Officer is Misifoa Umi.
The Governor’s Executive Assistant is Kiso Skelton and the Lt. Governor’s Executive Assistant is Faatigafua Fuatagavi.
In his State of the Territory address, at the opening of the Fono yesterday, Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula made mention of changes in the structure of the Governor’s Office staff.
Play Audio
(Transc.) Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula: We are restructuring the Governor’s Office to help Pulu and I implement the changes that we feel are needed in [the] American Samoa government. The current budget approved 220 positions for the Governor’s Office. However, we will be repositioning certain programs and personnel to improve efficiency, collaboration and alignment.
