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May 14, 2008
DEJONGH NOMINATES SEVEN PERSONS TO THE V.I. BOARD OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND ONE TO THE PUBLIC TELEVISION SYSTEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has nominated seven persons to the Virgin Islands Board of Vocational Education. The nominees, once approved by the Legislature, will either fill vacancies or replace persons whose term on the board has expired. "The nominations underscore the importance of the government providing students with choices that allow them to tap into their potential for continued learning and career development," deJongh said in making the nominations. The nominees include: Ilene Garner who replaces Dr. Yegin Habteyes who has resigned. Garner will represent the University of the Virgin Islands on the board. Garner presently serves as director of the UVI Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning program. Kelvin "Red" Bailey will replace Wilbert A. Gomez whose term has expired. Bailey is well-known in the marine industry and currently is a charter boat business owner. Richard Difede will replace Janice P. Soto who term has expired and will represent the vocational needs of management. Difede, who serves as Chairman of the Workforce Investment Board, has extensive experience in working with Vocational and Technical Education centers. Difede was responsible for initiating an apprenticeship training program at St. Croix Central High School in 1986 and in commencing a Marine Tech program at Educational Complex, a project that is ongoing. Quincy G. Lewis, a supervisor at HOVENSA’s Data Center on St. Croix, will replace Lena Schulterbrandt whose term on the Vocational Education Board has expired. Daniel P. McIntosh will fill a vacancy for St. Croix. Previously, the position was held by Sanseric Powell. Ronnie Jones fills a vacancy from St. John. Jones is a credit manager in the Accounts Receivable division at Caneel Bay Resorts. Jones has served from time to time as a substitute teacher at Julius Sprauve School on St. John. Adlyn Williams replaces Riise Richards whose term has expired. Williams, a certified Business Education teacher at Charlotte Amalie High School, will represent the vocational needs of labor on the board. In making the nominations, deJongh said a strong Board of Vocational education will ensure that our program is relevant to the times and interest of the students and to the economic opportunities that await them. "It is about building the skills set of these young people to ensure their future success. I am extremely confident that these nominees have the experience and the foresight to structure the programs consistent with our State Plan, and the ability to build linkages to the private sector, University of the Virgin Islands and Labor Department Workforce Invest Board." The job of government is to make sure our children have as many opportunities to succeed as possible, deJongh noted. Additionally, deJongh nominated George H. Moore to the Board of Directors of the V.I. Public Television System. Moore, who has an extensive background in television production, will represent the television industry on the board and replace Eustace Brown whose term has expired. The nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the 27th Legislature. |
