Governor Names Carmelo Rivera as Assistant DPNR Commissioner

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. has announced the appointment of Carmelo Rivera as Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Rivera replaces Alicia Barnes who resigned to accept a position within the Economic Development Authority.

“Mr. Rivera’s professional experiences span both the public and private sectors. He has most recently held the position of Director of Employee Relations and Public Affairs for a major HOVENSA sub-contractor, where he led the overall human resources management and legal and government affairs of the company,” de Jongh said, noting, that Rivera is a former Commissioner of the Department of Labor. 

Rivera is no stranger to environmental and conservation issues. Prior to returning to the Virgin Islands, he served for seven years as a senior manager in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Rivera has taught business courses at the University of the Virgin Islands and has served as a consultant and advisor to various businesses and organizations. 

Rivera has served in leadership and governance roles on boards such as the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, the Country Day School Board of Trustees, and others. He currently serves as the Chairman of the St. Croix District Governing Board of Directors of the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center. He is also Chairman of the VI Government Hospital and Health and Facilities Corporation.

Rivera is a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School on St. Croix. “His extensive executive training and development includes two Masters of Science degrees from the State University of New York at Albany and a Bachelors degree from the University of the Virgin Islands.” 

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