The Pacific Community (SPC)’s Land Resources Division Director, Karen Mapusua, has been recognised with the Global Moana Agriculture and Community-Based Development Award during the recent Stars of Oceania awards ceremony in the Cook Islands. Karen has dedicated more than 25 years to sustainable development in the Pacific region, with a focus on organic agriculture.
Papua New Guinean, Diana Guria, has been appointed the Director of the Business Advisory and Capacity Building Division of PNG’s Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation (SMEC). Guria is the first woman to take up the role since the establishment of the corporation in 1990.
Theresa O’Boyle-Levestam is the first female Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji. She is most notably the country’s first licensed female air traffic controller.
Solomon Islands Governor-General, Sir David Okete Vuvuiri Vunagi, has been installed as the 30th Chancellor of The University of the South Pacific.
With a career spanning 35 years in the international banking and finance sector, David Proctor has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Development Bank of Palau.
The Council of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office has announced General Manager, Andrew Valentine, will leave in December 2023 after more than seven years of successfully leading the Pacific’s regional aviation organisation.
US Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, Jennifer L. Johnson has presented her credentials to President Wesley W. Simina.
The Tinian Chamber of Commerce has appointed seven new members to its board of directors: Journie Hofschneider is the newly appointed vice president and Philip M. Long will continue as president. John D. Attao will head the military committee; Daria Cing and Neal Eisgrou as treasury and secretary officers; while Allen Perez will guide the legislative committee with Liza Power in charge of public relations and as social media curator.
Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona has been nominated by US President Joe Biden for a second 10-year term on the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Sandra McKeever, president and CEO of wealth management firm Asia Pacific Financial Management Group, is the new chairperson of the University of Guam Board of Regents. She succeeds Liza J. Provido.
Indonesia’s new Ambassador to the Marshall Islands, Agus Widjojo, has presented his credentials to Marshall Islands’ President, David Kabua.
Fijian Judge Kiniviliame Tamanilagi Keteca has been sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of Nauru under a five-year contract.
Rashmi Aslam has resigned as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). He had served FICAC over a period of 11 years and seven months.
Solomon Water has appointed Carmine Piantedosi as its new Chief Executive Officer. Piantedosi replaces Ian Gooden who served in the role for eight years.
Sione Pulotu ‘Akau’ola has been appointed Tonga’s new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, and Communications (MEIDECC). The appointment is for a four-year term.
Seini Cornish of Fiji Airways has been recognised as the first female captain of a fully-fledged Airbus A350, not only in Fiji, but in the Pacific region. She has been a pilot with the national airline for more than 15 years.
Rev. Dr. Semisi Turagavou has been elected the new President of the Methodist Church of Fiji. He will assume the role in 2024.
German national, Dirk Wagener is the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Fiji. Wagener will also coordinate UN development operations in Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Zhou Limin is China’s new Ambassador-designate to Kiribati under President Xi Jingping’s administration.
Fiso, Dr. Fiame Leo has been appointed the Head of the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa for the next three years.
Cathy Gogue has been appointed State Chair of the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Committee, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, for the next three years.
Four real estate professionals have joined Fiji’s Real Estate Agents Licensing Board for the next three years: Dr Ilimotama Cawi as Chairperson; Caroline Waqabaca as Deputy Chairperson; and King Anwar Hussain and Unise Druavesi as members.
Fiji’s Apikemeli Tola has been appointed Chairman of the iTaukei Land and Fisheries Commission by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts.
Papua New Guinea’s Council for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises has elected Yolanda Badmatuk, as its new Executive Director. She previously served as the CEO of Kalang Advertising Limited.
Director of the Northern Marianas’ Special Education Program, Donna Moore Flores, has been appointed interim Commissioner of Education by the territory’s Board of Education. She replaces Dr. Alfred B. Ada.
A new Air Vanuatu Board has been appointed, comprising former Prime Minister, Moana Carcasses Kalosil, as Chairman of the Board, replacing Willie Daniel. The new members include Benjamin Shing, Dunstan Hilton, Alexandre Perret, Herbert Joel Duvu and Nigel Morrison.
Ioana Paulo Avefua has become the first female marine captain in Samoa, after graduating from the National University of Samoa’s School of Maritime. She is also employed with the Samoa Ports Authority.
The University of Papua New Guinea has appointed a permanent Council comprising 10 new members: Goiye Gileng, Clement Waine, Gerea Aopi, Maria Kokop, Peter Eafeare, Kymberley Kepore, Charlie Gilichibi, Robin Fleming, Winnie Klap and Shelley Launa.
Head of Risk and Compliance at Credit Corporation in PNG, Leo Kamara, has been promoted to the role of Chief Risk Officer. He replaces Andre De Bakhapouve.
Samoa’s Parliament has undergone a few changes, with Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo becoming the new Minister for Women, Community, and Social Development, while Lautimuia Uelese Vaai is the new Minister for Finance and Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell is the new Minister for Sports and Recreation.
Kina Securities Limited has appointed Richard Kimber as its independent Non-Executive Director. He is currently a Director with ING Bank Australia.
The new United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative to Solomon Islands, Munkhtuya (Tuya) Altangerel, has presented her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele.
Australian national, Justice Susan Purdon-Sully, has been sworn-in as a Judge to the National and Supreme Courts of PNG. She specialises in family law, alternative dispute resolution and mediation.
The Vanuatu National Provident Fund Board has appointed Richard Terry Edwin as the Deputy General Manager of the Fund, after almost three months in the Acting GM position.
Glenville Christopher Lord has returned to the Oceania Dance Theatre as its new Dance Coordinator and Choreographer. He was a dancer at ODT for 11 years.
The Rugby League Samoa Committee has appointed Penrith Panthers assistant coach, Australia-based Ben Gardiner, as Head Coach of Toa Samoa. The Committee also appointed St George Illawarra Dragons legend, Jamie Soward, to be the Head Coach of Fetu Samoa, Samoa’s women’s rugby league team, for the Pacific Championships 2023.
In Memory
American Samoa’s only attorney for the Office of Public Defender, David Vargas, has died at the age of 77. “Vargas zealously represented clients throughout the community over the past four decades,” Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga expressed.
Former Niue Minister, Pokotoa Ikiua Lalotoa Sipeli, died in Australia surrounded by his family. He was 80 years old. Sipeli was one of the longest-serving members of the Fono Ekepule.
