HONOLULU –The Department of Defense has approved the selection of retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Peter A. Gumataotao to be the director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), a Department of Defense organization dedicated to advancing security cooperation in the region.

A native of Guam, Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao joined the Navy in 1976 and attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. He is a 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and earned his Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 1994.  

As a surface warfare officer, Gumataotao has operated extensively in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf. His previous Indo-Asia-Pacific assignments have included assistant surface operations officer and surface systems analysis officer for commander, U. S. 3rd Fleet; current operations officer for commander, U. S. Pacific Fleet; and, chief of division for Current Operations for the commander, U. S. Pacific Command Headquarters. He also commanded the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and USS Decatur (DDG 73), both homeported in San Diego, and commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31 based in Pearl Harbor.

His flag assignments in the region were commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea for U.S. Pacific Fleet; commander, Task Force 78 for U.S. 7th Fleet; naval component commander of United Nations Command; deputy naval component commander for Combined Forces Command, Korea; and commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 (Nimitz Strike Group). Prior to his retirement on Nov. 1, 2017, Gumataotao served as deputy chief of staff, Strategic Plans and Policy, Supreme Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia. For his full biography, please go to:  http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=524

“As a Pacific Islander who is extremely proud of my culture and heritage, it is an honor to serve as Director of DKI APCSS,” said Gumataotao. Growing up in Guam and living in Hawaii for many years, it is a privilege to take on this leadership role.  The Indo-Asia-Pacific region is pivotal to global security and economic development, and I cannot think of a better way to continue my service and leverage my Pacific experience than through executive education focused on building relations and governance capacities among our partners and friends.”

“I am deeply honored and extremely excited to have been given this opportunity to lead this exceptional team of professionals at DKI APCSS. In a dynamic, complex, and interconnected world, the need for better transparency, understanding, and cooperation is paramount. DKI APCSS provides this important portal to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, bringing together partners and allies alike,” said Gumataotao.

Once he arrives in at the Center, Gumataotao will replace Mr. James Hartsell who served as the interim director of DKI APCSS since November 2016.  Mr. Hartsell looks forward to assuming new leadership opportunities in both the health industry and as a U. S. Marine Corps reserve general officer.

Gumataotao is expected to start his tenure as director in January 2018.

The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a Department of Defense institute that addresses regional and global security issues. Military and civilian representatives, most from the United States and Asia-Pacific nations, participate in a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The Center supports U.S. Pacific Command by developing and sustaining relationships among security practitioners and national security establishments throughout the region. DKI APCSS’ mission is to build capacities and communities of interest by educating, connecting and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security. It is one of the Department of Defense’s five regional security studies centers.

Since opening in 1995, more than 12,098 alumni representing over 135 countries and territories have attended DKI APCSS courses and workshops.

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