May 14, 2008 — Seven new nominees have been tapped by Gov. John deJongh Jr. to sit on the V.I. Board of Vocational Education.
"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 a recent statement from Government House.
Once approved by the Legislature, the nominees will fill various vacancies or replace existing board members whose terms have expired.
The nominees are:
— Ilene Garner, who will replace Yegin Habtes, who has resigned from the board. (Garner, who currently serves as director of UVI's Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning Program, will represent the university while sitting on the board.);
— Kelvin "Red" Bailey, a local charter boat business owner, who will replace Wilbert E. Gomez, whose term on the board has expired;
— Richard Difede, the current chairman of the Workforce Investment Board, who will replace Janice P. Soto, whose term has expired. (Difede was responsible for starting an apprenticeship training program at St. Croix Central High School in 1986 and a Marine Tech program at the Educational Complex.);
— Quincy G. Lewise, a supervisor at Hovensa's data center on St. Croix, will replace Lena Schulterbrandt, whose term on the board has expired;
— Daniel P. McIntosh will represent St. Croix;
— Ronnie Jones, a credit manager at Caneel Bay Resorts, will represent St. John; and
— Adlyn Williams, a business education teacher at Charlotte Amalie High School, will replace Riise Richards, whose term on the board has expired.
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," deJongh said. He added, "It is about building the skill sets 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 the Labor Department's Workforce Investment Board."
DeJongh also nominated George H. Moore to V.I. Public Television System's board of directors. Moore, who has an extensive background in television production, will represent the local television industry on the board and will replace Eustace Brown, whose term has expired.
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