Francis Itimai
Francis Itimai is Governor of Yap State. He is from Lamotrek, in the Outer Islands of Yap, some 580 miles from Yap Proper. Itimai is only the second Outer Islander to serve as Governor, both men being elevated from the position of Lieutenant Governor when the office was made vacant.
He has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management, from Park University, in Parkville, Missouri. After college, Francis Itimai served as police officer in Kansas City.
FSM National Government
Returning to the FSM, Itiami cycled through positions at various FSM National Government Agencies, including the Department of Resources & Development, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Economic Affairs.
Secretary, TC&I
July 2007: Francis I. Itimai is nominated by FSM President Manny Mori to serve as Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure (TC&I).
August 2007: FSM Congress fails to confirm Itimai’s nomination. The 5 to 9 “no” vote for confirmation of Francis I. Itimai was undertaken “with minimal conversation.” Discussion on the day prior was characterized by staff as “heated.” Itimai was not confirmed by Congress despite news that Yap leadership had sent their support for the nominee.
November 2007: In an unprecedented decision, Congress authorized the President to re-nominate Frances Itimai for the position of Secretary of TC&I. In early 2008 Itimai is confirmed.
2009: Beginning with an "Embassy sponsored Gala Night for the Chinese Lunar New Year" Itimai's name begins to regularly appear in press releases made the People's Republic of China (PRC) for his attendance at embassy sponsored events and ceremonies promoting PRC-FSM ties.
February 2010: Secretary Itimai pushes for expansion of TC&I’s role and authority. He calls for passage of a bill transferring most of the management responsibilities of the state-backed telecom provider (FSMTC) to the Department of TC&I. Secretary Itimai argues there is a Pacific wide trend toward governmental regulation of telecommunications providers in order to ensure quality service. Lawmakers are skeptical.
January 2011: Secretary Itimai signed MOU for Huawei to conduct a Desk Study to connect all States in FSM for Broadband. Secretary Itimai expressed on behalf of H.E. President Manny Mori “our government’s deep gratitude and appreciation to Huawei and the Government of the People’s Republic of China through the China Embassy here in Pohnpei for this very significant undertaking, at no cost to the FSM.”
At a dinner hosted by Ambassador Weidong Zhang, Itimai underscored to Ambassador Zhang his plans as Chairman of the President’s SFOC Task Force, to call a meeting of the Task Force to further deliberate on steps to move forward on this project. TC&I later announces that information and communication technology expert teams are conducting public consultation in FSM for National ICT Plan.
March 2011: Itimai is among cabinet members meeting with US Admiral Patrick Walsh, Commander for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. FSM Foreign Secretary remarks “In our view, our relationship with the U.S. is strong, and we take great pride in it.”
October 2011: TC&I announces FSM is to receive a Y-12 airplane for outer island service and plans have been developed for runway refurbishments. This follows meetings between the FSM’s Lorin Robert, Francis Itimai and AVIC International Holding Corporation headed by Mr. Jin Xing.
September 2012: FSM President announces outstanding shortage of funds in the energy budget to pay the Pohnpei Utility Corporation (PUC) for the National Government’s electricity. Itimai defends TC&I, claiming the crisis had been anticipated owing to under-funding by Congress.
September 2012: Itimai praises United States, Australia and Japan for plans to build a training and coordination center for the Micronesian Region, upgrade surveillance communication capability. As part of the plans, FSM takes transfer of a patrol craft from Japan.
October 2013: FSM TC&I submits bill to liberalize FSM telecommunications. A multi-million-dollar grant offered by the World Bank will land a sub-marine fiber optic cable in the FSM State of Yap but requires FSM to allow for competition in the telecommunications industry.
January 2014: Series of tense meetings between FSM President, key Cabinet Members, and Congress. These dealt with problems in the public project appropriation process and the project implementation. Speaker Halbert accuses Secreary Itimai of failing to comply with requirements of the Project Control Documents when implementing Congressionally funded infrastructure projects.
November 2014: Francis Itimai runs for Lt Gov of Yap on a ticket with Charles Chieng in 2014. They lose, but the pair will run again in 2022.
January 2015: Itimai is among FSM senior officials who host and meet with officials from the Ministry of Commerce, People’s Republic of China.
Feb 2015: FSM Audit shines spotlight on waste and failures in public project across the FSM National Government. TC&I is highlighted.
April 2015: FSM Government filed criminal charges against Secretary Itimai. Charges stem from unauthorized travel, travel reimbursement, and ordering staff to lie if questioned. Itimai’s motion to dismiss alleges that the FSM President’s familial relationship with the former Director of the Micronesia Shipping Commission (MSC) played a role in filing of the charges.
Return to Yap State
Feb 2016: Itimai returns to Yap State, serving as Director of Youth & Civic Affairs for Governor Ganngiyan.
2018: Incumbent Governor Tony Ganngiyan is defeated by Henry Falan. Itimai becomes Chief of Staff to Governor Falan for a portion of Falan’s administration.
May 2020: Itimai avoids being drawn in when FSM files charges against four for illegal vessel registration scheme netting over $600,000. Alegedly Suniel K. Sharma initially approached Secretary Itimai for the purpose of establishing an open, international vessel registration system within the FSM. Itimai was said to have rejected the proposal because it was against FSM law. Later, in 2015, Sharma allegedly contacted Itimai’s successor, Secretary Lukner Weilbacher, and proceeded with the plan.
2017: Governor Falan was removed from his position as Governor by the Yap State Legislature. Jesse Salalu, his former Lieutenant Governor, takes his place as Governor of Yap.
2022: Charles Chieng is elected Governor of Yap, Francis Itimai serving as his Lt. Governor.
April 2025: Itimai begins to serve as acting Governor owing to Governor Chieng's illness, then absence.
Itimai grants himself and cabinet members additional roles through Executive Order No. 2025-04 Re: Establishing Task Force On US Military And Government Operations in Yap. Specifically, he creates and appoints himself as well as others to the "Task Force on United States Military and Government Operations and the Operational Control Letter" and the so-called "Negotiation Team" also created by the Order.
2025: Upon the death of Governor Chieng, Francis Itimai becomes Governor of Yap.
