A product of the local education system with nearly 20 years of experience in the aero space industry was overwhelmingly rejected by the Senate to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Power Authority. Jansen Poyer, a graduate of Fagaitua High School with roots in Laulii and Aua, is currently an engineer for Boeing in Arizona. Only four senators voted in support of his nomination while 9 voted against it.
There was no telling from questions posed by senators during his confirmation hearing that he would be rejected. Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean himself said that after going through Poyer’s resume, he had no doubt that he was highly qualified.
Responding to a question from Sen Magalei if he wanted to serve on the board, Poyer said the Governor’s Office had reached out to another engineer from American Samoa who lives in Arizona to be an ASPA Board member. “Unfortunately she was not able to accept the invitation,” he told the hearing. Instead she recommended him and when contacted by the Governor’s Office he accepted the appointment.
Here’s Poyer’s reply to a question from Senator Olo Uluao Letuli on what he brings to the ASPA board.
Play Audiopoyer-bring-to-board
Poyer said he was in full support of ASPA’ss renewable energy projects, using solar and wind power to generate electricity as they would lessen the dependence on fuel and would help reduce electricity costs.
He said the conflict in Iran would have an impact on the price of oil so alternative energy sources are very important.
This was Poyers’ first visit to the territory since he was appointed to the ASPA Board. But he has participated via Zoom in a few board meetings. Tuaolo asked if he was advised that he can vote on the board before he was confirmed. Poyer said he was a recess appointment by the Governor in October of last year and it was his understanding that as a recess appointee he was given voting rights as a confirmed member. He declined to answer questions about the resignation of former Executive Director of ASPA Wallon Young citing non disclosure agreements, and advice from ASPA’s legal counsel.
He said the ASPA Board is currently reviewing applicants for the position of ASPA Executive Director.
Committee Chairman Ponausuia, a former employee of ASPA advised that the board should make a quick selection to fill the Director position. He said ASPA has the people and equipment to carry out the authority’s functions. and stressed that the authority’s most valuable asset was its employees. “The employees can move the company forward, but they can also bring it down,” he remarked. Ponausuia recommended that the ASPA Board look into raising salaries as this was the main reason why employees are disgruntled.
Sen. Tuanaitau Malaki was confident that Poyer possessed the qualifications and experience and would be a valuable asset to the ASPA Board. The confirmation hearing lasted just over 30 minutes. During the Senate session just 4 senators approved Poyer’s nomination while 9 opposed it.
