Brigham Young University–Hawaii Administration Vice President Michael Tejada announced the appointment of Jerome "Lome" Toluono as the new purchasing and travel senior manager. Toluono will oversee both the Purchasing and Travel Services departments and report directly to the administration vice president. Toluono will begin in this new position on November 18.
Previously, Travel Services operated as one of the auxiliary services within the Operations area, while Purchasing reported to the Office of Compliance & Ethics. Under this new alignment, Toluono will oversee both departments in the Administration area, reporting as separate entities and streamlining their functions under one senior manager to improve coordination.
"We are excited to have Lome Toluono join our administrative division," said Tejada. "With over 20 years of purchasing experience at BYU–Hawaii, he has effectively managed complex procurement processes that have increased productivity and efficiency and delivered significant cost savings for our institution. His dedication, teamwork, and exceptional problem-solving abilities make him a valuable asset to our team. I am confident he will drive our purchasing and travel operations to new heights."
Currently, Toluono works as a CNA/purchasing manager for BYU–Hawaii, managing capital needs assessments, tracking budgets, working with vendors, and overseeing project managers. Previously, he worked in the Purchasing & Travel Services department as a senior buyer, negotiating with vendors and collaborating with employees across the university on upholding purchasing policies and procedures. Toluono received the BYU–Hawaii Exceptional Service Award in 2002 as a federal programs coordinator evaluating and assisting students with grant and loan applications in the Financial Aid department. Before that, he worked as an academic advisor, helping students with class registration and evaluating credit equivalencies.
"I am grateful for the knowledge and experiences I've learned and gained from my years in the construction and project management area," said Toluono. "I'm thankful and thrilled about the opportunity to continue serving the university with the Purchasing and Travel Services departments, especially in continuing to help fulfill the vision and mission of the university."
Toluono is an alumnus of BYU–Hawaii, and he earned his Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1993. As a student in the IWORK Program, he worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center and BYU–Hawaii and was the president of the Samoan Club. He also graduated as valedictorian from the Church College of Western Samoa.
After being raised in Samoa and starting at BYU–Hawaii, Toluono returned to his home country and served in the Samoa Apia Mission from 1988 to 1990. He has also held many leadership callings in the Church, including serving in a YSA ward bishopric, Elders Quorum presidency, Sunday School presidency, as a teacher in various capacities, and as a high priest group leader.
Toluono enjoys genealogy, reading, rugby and football, and Samoan history and culture. He is married to Jane HoChing Toluono who also served in the Samoa Apia Mission. Their daughter, Jerane, is currently in the Missionary Training Center and is preparing to serve in the Samoa Apia Mission like her father and mother.