The House of Representatives voted unanimously Friday to confirm Frederick Unasa Ledoux as Chief Procurement Officer. The vote was 14-0. The Senate approved Ledoux by unanimous vote the previous week, so he is now fully confirmed.
A glowing endorsement of Ledoux was given by the Chairman of the Government Operations Committee Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen who described the nominee as an honest individual, a man with good ethics, respectful and straightforward.
Before his appointment as CPO, Ledoux was Director, Purchasing and Supply Chain at the LBJ Hospital. Faimealelei a member of the Hospital Authority Board said Ledoux never waivered in enforcing procurement law in awarding contracts for the hospital. The chairman said he was first acquainted with the nominee when Ledoux applied for the position of CEO for the LBJ Hospital. Faimealelei said although he was not selected, he informed Ledoux that the hospital needed his expertise and if he returned home, to come to LBJ.
And from the time he was employed, Ledoux has made significant improvements not just in procurement, but also automation, billing and other operations of the hospital. “I can’t say enough about this young man,” said Faimealelei.
House members thanked Ledoux for returning home to serve after his decorated service in the military.
Rep. Trude Ledoux-Sunia a cousin of the nominee was given the opportunity to give the committee’s closing remarks. She spoke eloquently about her relationship with Ledoux, as that of a sister and brother. “He has become a backbone of the Pago Pago aumaga, initiating new things for the good of the village and district,” she said.
The first-term lawmaker described Ledoux as a humble person who is not afraid to speak the truth and gives his 200% to any task.
Ledoux-Sunia told the nominee being Chief Procurement Officer is a major responsibility and he will be faced with challenges and temptations. She urged that he serve with utmost honesty and to remember the advice of their parents not to do anything that would give their family a bad name.
Ledoux, a US Army veteran said he brings his military experience and training to the job and one of the leadership traits that he values is to treat people with dignity and respect. Talking about his tenure at LBJ he said he was able to improve procurement processes, data capability and internet access. He also established a professional relationship with doctors and nurses and emphasized that nurses are the backbone of the health system.
Ledoux went on to say that the Procurement Office does not belong to Ledoux, or Pula or Pulu, but to the Government of American Samoa. He promised that he will treat workers with dignity and respect and will not compromise his integrity.
Since being appointed Chief Procurement Officer he has created four managers and given them the opportunity to grow.
