DOD Announces New Director for Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

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Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Pete Nguyen provided the following statement:

The Department of Defense is pleased to announce Maj. Gen. Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum as the new director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), effective early 2025.

Maj. Gen. Vares-Lum’s leadership as President of the East-West Center and her 34 years of service in the U.S. Army provide her with the vision and experience needed to be a transformational leader at this vital DoD institution in the Indo-Pacific region.

Retired Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao departed the Center this last summer after more than six years of distinguished service as director of DKI APCSS.

DKI APCSS is the department’s premier institution dedicated to scholars and practitioners focused on the Indo-Pacific region.

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