CUC to lose its executive director

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will soon need a new executive director after Abe Utu Malae confirmed yesterday that he will be leaving his post to run for governor in American Samoa next year.

Malae told Saipan Tribune yesterday that he officially announced his decision to join American Samoa’s gubernatorial race during a teleconference with supporters last week. American Samoa’s gubernatorial race is slated for November 2012.

Malae pointed out, though, that there is still a long way to go before the election. “I am not worried about it right now…I am still concentrating on CUC,” he said, adding that he is aggressively working to complete all that needs to be done for the utilities firm.

He confirmed that he has yet to turn in a resignation letter to the Fitial administration or a notice of leave of absence to prepare for the election. However, he said he has already consulted Gov. Benigno R. Fitial about the issue and that the governor supports his decision.

According to Samoanews.com, Malae announced his decision to run for governor on Aug. 15. He is expected to officially leave his post at CUC in early 2012 to return to American Samoa and concentrate on his gubernatorial campaign. Malae ran as governor for American Samoa in November 2008 and finished second. Malae has yet to name his running mate.

Malae left his Senate seat in Sa’ole county in 2009 to accept the CUC position after the CNMI government asked for his help to turn around the then-troubled utilities corporation.

Malae disclosed that he sought the blessing of his supporters in American Samoa prior to accepting the CNMI job. He was appointed executive director of CUC on Oct. 29, 2010.

Press secretary Angel Demapan assured a smooth transition in CUC’s leadership.

“While the administration deeply values the efforts of CUC executive director Abe Malae, the governor and lieutenant governor understand that American Samoa is his home and that his pursuit for a gubernatorial bid is one that is close to his heart. Obviously, when the time comes for Mr. Malae to depart CUC, a proper transition will be facilitated and this will include recruitment efforts to fill the position of executive director,” Demapan said.

Saipan Tribune learned that Malae has worked for the American Samoa government for over 25 years and served as the executive director of the American Samoa Power Authority. He was also named one of the “Top 10 Public Works Leaders of the Year” by the American Public Works Association in 2001.

Malae received his bachelor’s degrees in both chemistry and English from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. He earned his first master’s degree in physical chemistry from Iowa State University’s School of Science & Technology. He also obtained two separate master’s degrees in both public works administration and civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

Fitial lifted the emergency status of CUC in March this year due to the many progress noted in its management and operation in the last two years. The lifting of the emergency status coincided with significant progress and collaboration between CUC and federal agencies, specifically the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice.