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‘No immediate plans yet to replace Malae at CUC’
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Posted on Sep 05 2011
There are no immediate plans yet to replace Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Abe Malae, according to CUC legal counsel Deborah Fisher.
Fisher, in her report to the U.S. District Court for the NMI, said that part of the reason is because Malae’s intent to run for governor of American Samoa in 2012 is a new development; another is that he remains in place at CUC for months to come.
Over the next six months, Fisher said, Malae plans to continue to build a solid leadership component at CUC, not only for the sake of continuity but also to provide flexibility for any future replacement.
CUC understands that Malae’s plan to leave is of paramount importance, Fisher said, and it intends to discuss its plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as they are formulated.
EPA has encouraged Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and CUC to immediately begin searching for Malae’s replacement to avoid any gap in leadership at this critical time for the utilities agency.
In a report recently filed in the district court, EPA legal counsel Bradley R. O’Brien had said that Malae’s announcement about his plan to run for governor of American Samoa in 2012 means he will be leaving CUC in early 2012. O’Brien said they encourage CUC and Fitial to begin as quickly as possible the process of soliciting, interviewing, and selecting a qualified replacement.
O’Brien said the executive director position is very important as the official is responsible for all operations at CUC, including its compliance with the two stipulated orders.
In CUC’s reply, Fisher noted that any departure is six months away, and Malae remains fully committed to CUC and the CNMI at present. Fisher said Malae has yet to turn in a resignation letter or application for a leave of absence.
“He [Malae] will work with his management team to ensure a smooth transition,” the lawyer added.
