Habitat for Humanity of the U.S. Virgin Islands Inc. has announced the appointment of Christine Robinson as its new executive director. Robinson’s background is in sales, marketing and project management, and she has extensive non-profit experience including fundraising, program development, and event planning. Prior to her appointment, she served on The Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Sharmane Davis-Brathwaite will serve a second one-year term as president of the board of directors. She was first elected president on June 16, 2009. Davis-Brathwaite is a litigation attorney at Dudley Clark & Chan LLP.
Horace T. Brooks has been elected as vice-president. His one-year term began on June 17. Brooks is the assistant concierge manager at The Ritz Carlton St. Thomas and has been a Habitat member since 2009.
Tesla Plaskett will continue in the position of treasurer for another one-year term. Plaskett is a retiree of the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue and recently worked with the 2010 Census Bureau.
Cynthia Tinsley has been elected as secretary. Tinsley is the executive assistant to the president of Merchants Commercial Bank, and her one-year term on the board of directors began June 17.
Other members of Habitat’s Board of Directors elected to serve two-year terms:
Marjorie Magras retired as executive director of the V.I. Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) and has been a board member since 2007.
Julita de Leon, general counsel of the VIHFA, has been a board member since 2007.
Merle Fenton, disadvantaged business enterprise specialist at the
Department of Public Works, and has been a board member since 2009.
Alan H. Fleming, construction manager at the VIHFA and has been a board member since 2006.
Irma Hodge, director of residence services at the VIHFA, has been a board member since 2006.
Winston E. Smith, USVI operations manager for the United Parcel Service (UPS), has been a board member since 2009.
Patrick Phipps, an entrepreneur in architecture, construction and graphic design, began his term of service on June 17.
Reverend Lancelot Thembalethu Mkhabela, pastor of the Lutheran Church of Reformation on St. Thomas and dean of the V.I. District of the Lutheran Church in the Caribbean Synod. Rev. Mkhabela first served on the board in 2008 and rejoined on June 17.
The remaining board members are:
Madeline Brown, a customer service representative with Diamonds International, who joined Habitat on June 17 for a one -year term. Joseph Blyden Jr., plan reviewer at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, was first elected on June 16, 2009 for a two- year term.
Raynette A. Cameron, human resources director at Leeward Island Management Company, has been a board member since 2009, and her term of office expires in 2011.
Habitat for Humanity of the USVI Inc. was incorporated in January 2005 and is a faith-based, non-profit organization with a goal of building decent, affordable housing or restoring existing homes in partnership with needy families. Habitat built its first home at No. 4 Adele Gade in the Garden Street neighborhood of St. Thomas. The land was donated by first lady Cecile Galiber deJongh and the Galiber family.
In September 2010, Habitat will launch its Golden Touch campaign designated for senior citizens and disabled adults with physical limitations and restrictive mobility. Home modifications and repairs will be available to qualified applicants in partnership with the V.I. Department of Human Services. Assistance will be available by means of monetary and material donations, and Habitat volunteers will provide the labor. In 2011, Habitat will implement its ‘A Brush with Kindness’ program, a neighborhood revitalization initiative where services will be available to homeowners, including exterior painting, landscaping and minor repairs.
Habitat is also looking to provide services to St. Croix residents. If interested in forming an advisory council for this purpose, contact Christine Robinson at 714-5678, or via e-mail at crobinson@habitat.vi. Individuals interested in volunteer opportunities can also contact her for additional information. www.habitat.vi
