PEPE CHRISTIAN FRUEAN RETIRES AFTER 17 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AT DIGICEL SAMOA LIMITED
Pepe Christian Fruean retires after 17 years with Digicel (Photo: Digicel Samoa)
On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Digicel Samoa announced the retirement of Pepe Christian Fruean, marking the end of his remarkable 17-year journey with the organization. Mr. Fruean's departure as Chairman of Digicel Samoa signals the conclusion of a tenure characterized by excellence, innovation, and unwavering dedication.
Mr. Fruean's association with Digicel Samoa dates back to November 2006 when he assumed the role of CEO during a pivotal period for Digicel as it embarked on its first venture into the Pacific. Under his leadership, Digicel Samoa launched its GSM network, marking a significant milestone in the region's telecommunications landscape.
His impact extended beyond his CEO role, playing a pivotal role in the growth of Digicel Samoa and making mobile technology more affordable and accessible to the people of Samoa. Following his tenure as CEO until May 2015, Mr. Fruean transitioned seamlessly into the position of Chairman of the Board of Digicel Samoa.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Fruean contributed significantly to various aspects of Digicel Samoa, serving as a government relations expert and negotiating long-term, non-discriminatory access to critical infrastructure such as submarine cables, towers, dark-fiber, and pole access in Samoa, Tonga, and other regions. His role also extended to being the commercial ICT sales lead, showcasing the breadth of his influence within the organization.
Mr. David Burns, Chairman of Digicel Pacific and Group Executive of Telstra Enterprise, commended Mr. Fruean's longstanding role at Digicel Samoa. Reflecting on Pepe's involvement from the launch of Digicel Samoa, Mr. Burns emphasized his pivotal contribution to the development of Digicel Samoa and the establishment of Digicel Pacific, which now operates in six markets across the Pacific.
Pepe Christian Fruean's retirement, effective from November 21, 2023, not only marks the conclusion of his role as Chairman of Digicel Samoa but also entails stepping down from his directorial positions in several Digicel Pacific entities. As he bids farewell, Mr. Fruean leaves behind a legacy of leadership, vision, and transformative impact on the telecommunications landscape in the Pacific. The entire Digicel community extends their best wishes to Mr. Fruean in his future endeavors.