Lautimuia Afoa Vaai is the Samoa Shipping Services (S.S.C.) new Chief Executive Officer. 

The appointment was approved by Cabinet last week.

“I am ready to take on the challenges of the Shipping Services,” Lautimuia told the Samoa Observer yesterday. 

“I know what is at stake here and what the programmes under Shipping Services means to the government and the people of Samoa.”

Lautimuia, who has 20 years of managerial experience, has been involved in all aspects and level of formulating strategies for government Ministries. 

An accountant by profession, Lautimuia’s qualifications are from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji and Auckland University of Technology.

He hails from the villages of Magiagi and Vaisala and has been a member of the Public Accountant of the Samoa Institute of Accountants since 2001. 

Lautimuia is also an Associate Member of the Samoa Institute of Directors since 2004. 

“Communications is one of my strengths,” he said. “Working in the public service demands constant engagement with key stakeholders, a clear understanding of government development priorities and contingency strategies for unanticipated challenges.”

Furthermore Lautimuia says his involvement extensively in leadership challenges he experienced and believes this that a “consultative approach will assure acceptance and successful implementation of change”.

A former Lecturer at the National University of Samoa, Lautimuia was also the financial advisor for the Infinity Samoa Consultancy.

He was most recently the Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Office of the Regulator. 

Lautimuia was also Director Corporate and Strategic Services with the Ministry of Police. 

He held a post with the Department of Treasury as Management Accountant and was also Accounting Tutor with the University of the South Pacific, Alafua.

At one stage, he was the accountant of the Samoa Visitor’s Bureau. 

He told the Samoa Observer that with his long years of service, he’s confident he can tackle the challenges of his new role.

“I am dedicated and a committed individual,” he said. 

“I believe I had been to all my previous employments. I am confident in my leadership skills and am excellent at convincing minds to believe in a case and driving efforts to focus on achieving results. 

“That is exactly what I will apply to my new post. 

“To be able to drive efficient and sustainable operations requires one to think outside the box and taking circulated risks,” Lautimuia added. 

He said the number of years he spent at senior management positions has made him aware of the value of achieving results for an organisation. 

The son of Lautimuia Afoa Vaai Sr. of Vaisala and Auala and Sua Papali’i of Sapapali’i, Lautimuia is married with three children.