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Governor nominates chief legal counsel to ASEDA board

Blanche Lulu Barber, Terry Van Eaton, Mrs. Van Eaton
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor’s chief legal counsel Terry Van Eaton was confirmed in a 12-0 vote as a member of the ASEDA board of directors during a hearing before the Senate Economic Development Committee this past Friday

Responding to a question during his 15-minute confirmation hearing, Van Eaton said he has been with the Governor’s Office for about 5 months and that he didn’t request to be appointed to the board.

He shared with senators that “some of the assignments that I’ve been given by the Governor’s Office, include looking at legal issues, based on my background on tax and financing.”

And therefore the governor thought it “would be appropriate that I replace [former] chief legal counsel, Jason Mitchell who resigned from the board, to fulfill his unexpired term,” Van Eaton explained.

Sen. Magalei Logovi’i, who is also a member of the ASEDA board, explained to the committee that Van Eaton replaces Mitchell, who resigned and left the territory and the ASEDA board requires legal counsel for its operation.

Before joining the Lemanu Administration, Van Eaton most recently served as Director of Compliance with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. In that role, he was responsible for the auditing needs of the agency and all its state and federally funded programs.

Prior to that, he was an attorney with the Nebraska Department of Revenue handling tax disputes and litigation. According to the Administration, Van Eaton “brings valuable legal and financial [expertise] to the Board.”

With Van Eaton’s background in finance and tax, he was commended by at least two senators, who said that the nominee will be a great help to the board, as well as the Governor’s legal team and ASG.

Van Eaton’s confirmation hearing and vote is pending in the House.

l-r] American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA) executive director, Blanche Lulu Barber and the

Governor’s chief legal counsel Terry Van Eaton, along with his wife — posed for a photo last Friday following Van Eaton’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Economic Development Committee as a member of the ASEDA board of directors.

 [photo: Oey Ameperosa]