Joseph Blas Gumataotao, J.D. Chief Human Resources Officer University of Guam
Joseph Blas Gumataotao currently serves as the acting Chief Human Resources Officer for the University of Guam. He joined the UOG’s academic personnel in 2016 as its first Director of Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX/ADA Coordinator. Before joining UOG, Gumataotao was in private practice as an attorney licensed to practice law on Guam. A 2000 graduate of Father Duenas Memorial School, Gumataotao went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Communications with special emphasis in public relations and a minor in Political Science from the University of Guam, graduating with honors in 2004. At UOG, Gumataotao was recognized on numerous occasions in the National Dean’s List, the President’s List, the National Political Science Honor Society, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Gumataotao began his government service with the Guam Legislature. He served as a Policy Research Analyst for former Senator Lou A. Leon Guerrero and the late Speaker Vicente “ben” C. Pangelinan. Helping constituents on a daily basis and his direct involvement with the formation of public policy were the impetus to pursue a legal education. In 2008, Gumataotao left Guam to attend Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While in law school, Gumataotao was part of the inaugural Mediation Clinic and became certified as a county court mediator by the Supreme Court of Florida. Gumataotao also served as an Honor Board Member, nominated by his class and approved by the President and Dean. Gumataotao was elected Student Bar Association Senator and Vice President of the St. Thomas More Society, among other active involvement with student organizations. In 2011, he was conferred his Juris Doctorate and became the first person from Guam and of Chamoru descent to graduate from Ave Maria School of Law. After law school, Gumataotao returned home to accept a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Anita A. Sukola. Over the course of his clerkship, he has participated in over thirty criminal jury trials and various civil and domestic bench trials, drafted numerous decision and orders, along with findings of fact and conclusions of law, and researched many substantive and procedural issues coming before the court. In 2013, Gumataotao was awarded the Employees’ Choice Award for Judges Chambers as part of the Judiciary of Guam’s Employee Recognition Program. Gumataotao is an active member of the Guam Bar Association, licensed to practice law on Guam. Gumataotao regularly volunteers with career day and law week activities. He has been invited to speak to our children from elementary to high school on various topics, which he takes great delight in. Outside of work, Gumataotao is active with the Catholic Church. He is a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In 2012, he was the youngest member to become invested with the inaugural Guam delegation. He currently serves as a council member for the Order, a position approved by the Grand Cardinal in Rome. Gumataotao is the son of government of Guam retirees who have instilled in him the value of public service.
43 | 50 Under 40: Emerging Leaders in the Government of Guam
