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Governor names commissioners for three departments

Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Tuesday announced the appointment of commissioner nominees for three departments: Agriculture, Property and Procurement, and Planning and Natural Resources. 

Named to lead the Property and Procurement department is Acting Commissioner, Attorney Lynn A. Millin who previously served as the agency’s general counsel. Selected for Commissioner of Agriculture is Dr. Louis “Akil” Petersen, and Robert Mathes as Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources. 

DeJongh said Tuesday that attorney Millin brings a unique perspective to the administration, given her legal and previous experience in the department. She has spent the past eleven years working in the Virgin Islands in various management and legal capacities. Millin is well-versed in contract law, as well as lease agreements, and the internal policies and procedures of the department. “Attorney Millin is fully aware of the changes that we need to institute to improve the efficiency and productivity of the department in its relations with the various departments and agencies and in the issuances of requests for goods and services. With the leadership of Attorney Millin, we will ensure that government funds are spent wisely and in a manner that ensures our small businesses have access opportunities.”

Property and Procurement is comprised of five divisions with oversight of procurement, property, central motor pool, printing office and central stores. 

Prior to her employment with the department, attorney Millin was a law clerk for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Boston, MA. And the V.I. Territorial Court. Millin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Point Park College, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Salve Regina University and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. Millin was named Acting Commissioner on January 1st. 

DeJongh has selected a Commissioner of Agriculture nominee who “will bring the right balance to the department.” Louis E. Petersen, Jr., Ph.D. brings a wealth of agricultural experience to the administration, including project management, fundraising, issue-awareness, and program creation, and is formerly Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture. 

Petersen has a long list of accomplishments associated with the VI agriculture industry, and is currently Supervisor for the Cooperative Extension Service district at the University of the Virgin Islands. 

He is also currently a member of the School to Work Career Council, offering recommendations to various government departments. 

As a member of the advisory council to the Virgin Islands Forestry Stewardship Program, and as State Coordinator for the sustainable agriculture program at the University of the Virgin Islands, Petersen reviews grant applications and coordinates educational activities for farmers and agricultural professionals throughout the territory. Petersen is also currently serving as President of the Virgin Islands Resource Conservation and Development Council, where he coordinates funding initiatives through local, regional, and national entities to benefit the Virgin Islands. As Vice- Chairman of the State Executive Committee on Reinventing Agricultural Education, Petersen advocates for the inclusion of agriculture courses in the public school curriculum. 

Past accomplishments include achieving the successful implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Program in the U.S. Virgin Islands , increasing the funding status of the St. Thomas/St. John Agriculture Food Fair, and facilitating linkages between government agencies to boost opportunities and education of the agriculture industry in the Virgin Islands. “It is my belief that Dr. Petersen will take the lead for making sure we realize and maximize the potential of agriculture in our community both for internal consumption but also as a linkage to the tourism industry to ensure sustainability. His practical and academic experiences provide the proper blend to build the cases for funding and programs that will ensure that this sector realizes the opportunities that for so long escaped our grasp,” deJongh said today. The Department of Agriculture is comprised of eight divisions including: administration, marketing, agricultural development, horticulture, heavy equipment, buildings and grounds maintenance, forestry water and soil conservation, abattoir and veterinary health. 

Petersen graduated from Tuskegee University, with a concentration in Plant Science with the Department of Plant and Soil Science, and earned a Master’s degree from Oklahoma State University with the Department of Horticulture. Petersen also earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota with the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. 

At the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, de Jongh selected Robert Mathes as Commissioner. Mathes brings a distinguished record of planning and management experience to the deJongh administration, including government public service and private consulting. 

Mathes is most recently co-owner of Mathes Management, LLC and Marian G. Mathes & Associates, Inc., insurance agency consultants, as well as a consultant for Planning Associates. Utilizing his extensive government experience, Mathes has been a consistent involvement in residential and commercial site inspections, as well as government planning in the Virgin Islands. Mathes was recognized for his work as the St Thomas District Chair for the VI Board of Elections and served on the Coastal Zone Management Commission for St. Thomas. 

As Director of the Virgin Islands Capital Improvement Program, under the Office of the Governor in the Farrelly Administration, Mathes managed a $300 million public facilities construction program in the aftermath of hurricane Hugo and coordinated the rebuilding of four territorial hospitals and clinics.

Mathes also served as Commissioner of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and was an active Board Member of V.I. Water & Power Authority. Additionally, Mathes served as Director of Planning & Development at the Department of Public Works, where he managed all grant projects for the Environmental Protection Agency, Housing and Urban Development, Department of Interior, and Army Corps of Engineers. Mathes was also Senior Planner to the Director of Planning & Development at the then Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs. “Bob Mathes brings the experience the department needs, especially as our focal point for economic development and environmental protection. His prior government service in areas that are represented in the department, coupled with his private sector background, brings the appropriate blend that is needed to ensure that not only that leadership is provided but the appropriate blend of oversight is provided to achieve multiple objectives,” deJongh said.

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has 11 divisions including Building Permits, Business Administrative Services, Capital and Development Planning, Coastal Zone Management, Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning, Energy Office, Environmental Enforcement, Environmental Protection, Fish and Wildlife, State Historic Preservation Office and Libraries and Archives. 

Mathes is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he also took courses in graduate studies for Urban and Regional Planning.

The three nominations to Cabinet positions in the deJongh/Francis administration are subject to the advice and consent of the 27th Legislature. The nominations were submitted Tuesday to the Senate Rules Committee, the first committee to consider the Government House appointees. 

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