Gold Coast Yachts Hiring a Financial Controller

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Financial Controller Job Description
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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Directing all aspects of accounting operations, overseeing all transactions related to general ledger, receivables, payables, payroll and financial reporting.

Analyzing company’s financial results with respect to profits, trends, costs and compliance with budgets. Issue regular status and ad hoc reports to senior management.

Providing strategic guidance around capital financing options to support company growth needs.

Developing and coordinating all relationships with lending/financial institutions.

Developing and maintaining all necessary accounting policies and systems, including general ledger and financial reporting. Ensuring that records are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Monitor banking activities of the organization, and ensure adequate cash flow to meet the organization’s needs.

Oversee business insurance plans and health care coverage analysis, the administration and financial reporting of the organization’s Savings and Retirement Plan, and VI and Federal government compliance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 7-10 plus years of managerial accounting and financial management experience.
  • Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with fluctuating priorities and deadlines.
  • Ability to work without direct supervision, and efficiently manage tasks and time.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency with QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, and other financial software applications.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business. CPA and/or CMA preferred but not required.
  • Experience working in a growing start up environment strongly preferred.
  • Recent experience scaling a finance operation from inception to at least $40 million in annual revenues.
  • Experience with activity-based project costing.
  • Merger and acquisition finance experience.

Hourly rate commensurate with experience.

Email resume to nancy@goldcoastyachts.com or the VI Dept. of Labor.

Luz M. Ortiz Dies at 69

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Luz M. Ortiz

Luz M. Ortiz, also known as “Lucy,” of Estate Campo Rico died on March 21. She was 69 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Teresa Monell and Juan Marin; brothers: Miguel (Bug) Marin, Ruben Marin and Angel M. Marin

She is survived by her spouse, Ramon Ortiz; daughters: Daria McNair, Yocelyn Ramirez and Jessica Ortiz; grandchildren: Deelieda (Bambi) Wakefield, Chante Wakefield, Guillermo (Lito) Encarnacion Jr., Joniel Ramirez and Yariel Ortiz; and great-granddaughter, Jeanna Smith.

She is also survived by brothers: Jose A. Marin and Aureliano (Olay) Marin; nieces: Kamilah Marin, Tonya Marin, Natalie Marin and Saida Marin; nephews: Michael (Peaken) Marin, Jose Marin Jr. and Ruben Marin Jr.; sons-in-law: Juan Ramirez, Herminio Ortiz Jr., and Lemar McNair; brother-in-law: Jose (Che) Ortiz; and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 1i a.m., on Friday, April 12, at James Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will be at Kingshill Cemetery.

Franklin Llewellyn Francis Dies

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Franklin Llewellyn Francis

Franklin Llewellyn Francis died on March 10.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Christoper Francis (St. Croix) and Ramona Blair (Antigua); and siblings: Cardinal Samuel, Eroda Samuel, Michael Francis and Marilyn King

Franklin leaves to cherish his memory his wife. Tara Francis; children Gilbert Roberts, Rakeem Spearman, Jasmine Francis, Dominique Francis, Christopher Francis, Tarisha Johnson, Steven McDuffie, Dominic McDuffie, Javari McDuffie and Willie McDuffie; eleven grandchildren to include Paityn Roberts; brothers: Eustace Francis and Alan Felix; and sisters: Rosemarie Francis, Cynthia Samuel, Eugenie Drew and Marvelyn Copeland.

She is also survived by stepsisters: Janice Christian and Jacqueline Charles; stepmother, Fernella Thomas; brothers-in-law: Bernard Copeland, Demaris Stevens, Yabuku Johnson, Torey Johnson, Delrick Brown and Aaron Brown; mother-in-law: Ms. Mary Amica; father-in-law, Mr. Paul Brown Jr.; and sisters-in-law: Paula Amica, Julia Francis and Ramella Waldon.

Other survivors include aunts: Agatha Warrington, Avril Philip, Avril Davis and Bernadette Francis; uncles: Edward Jarvis and George Francis; Forty-nine nieces and nephews too numerous to mention; Ninety-seven great nieces and nephews too numerous to mention; a host of cousins too numerous to mention; special friends: Kendall Samuel, Vaughn Audain, Wenti Joseph, PJ O’Sullivan, Wayne Ehman, Moses Harris, Keith Streater, Henry Smalls, Angela Williams, Fritz Dyer and many more.

The viewing will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 3, at St. John’s Anglican Church. Interment will be at Christiansted Cemetery.

WAPA Undergoes Comprehensive Training Program of Fleet and PPE on St. Croix

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority on St. Office on St. Croix (Source file photo)

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is proud to announce that its team members recently completed an intensive week-long training program on St. Croix, hosted by Prime Fleet Services LLC. This training focused on critical aspects of vehicle and equipment inspection, maintenance and safety protocols, further solidifying WAPA’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficiency in its operations.

WAPA Undergoes Comprehensive Training Program of Fleet and PPE on St. Croix The garage team was trained in annual ANSI/DOT inspection requirements and how to maintain and repair the trucks.

While the line department received training on daily testing and inspection of their personal protection equipment (PPE) to ensure it is safe to use and dielectric testing methods. This enables WAPA to perform routine testing in-house.

“We are immensely proud of our team’s dedication to enhancing safety standards through rigorous training initiatives like this one. By equipping our employees with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety and operational excellence in all aspects of our work,” said Ashley Bryan, chief operating officer of Electric at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.

“Safety is paramount for the Authority. It’s not just a priority, but a core value that guides every decision and action we take. We’re committed to ensuring the well-being of our employees and the communities we serve. Through continuous training and rigorous standards, we maintain the highest level of safety excellence in our operations,” said Josh Jones, safety director at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.

“As an instructor at Prime Fleet Services LLC, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to facilitate this intensive training program for the V.I. Water and Power Authority. Our aim is to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain the highest safety standards in their operations.

It’s truly gratifying to see companies like WAPA prioritize safety and invest in the ongoing education and professional development of their team members. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting WAPA in their commitment to safety and excellence,” said Gary Sowders, Prime Fleet Services LLC.

Prime Fleet Services LLC has also been providing comprehensive dielectric testing for the Authority since 2023 and will continue to do so annually. This is a regulatory requirement to test the trucks and equipment to ensure the safety of the employees. The training provided last week focused on the operator of the trucks.

This is an OSHA (ANSI) requirement that the pre- and post-trip inspection be performed by a qualified employee and reported immediately if deficiencies are found. The St. Thomas/St. John district is scheduled for their training next month.

The Authority is prioritizing safety and efficiency in its operations, and this comprehensive training initiative highlights the Authority’s enthusiasm for ongoing education and professional development for its team members.

WAPA Business Offices to Be Closed from March 28th Through April 1 for Easter

Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority advises the public that the business offices territory-wide will be closed from Thursday, March 28 through Monday, April 1, in observance of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday.

To Make a Payment:

  • Call: 774-3552 or 773-2250

o For Automatic Bill Pay – Select Option 3

  • Pay online: click “Pay Your Bill Online” at www.viwapa.vi
  • Visit: First Bank, Banco Popular and Bank of St. Croix branches to make a payment.
  • Dropbox: Pay via Money Order or check at all business centers located outside.

Senate Slams Liberty Phone Service in Marathon Session

The Virgin Islands Legislature passed a resolution Monday night directing the USVI government to file a complaint against the territory’s largest mobile phone provider with the Federal Communications Commission. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)

The 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands was so fed up with Liberty V.I.’s phone service that Monday night, with scant prior warning, they passed a resolution requiring the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission to file an official complaint on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands against Liberty Latin America, Liberty Mobile USVI, and Liberty Mobile Puerto Rico with the Federal Communications Commission.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory, had been left off an official agenda for the marathon eight-plus-hour session. It passed unanimously.

Frett-Gregory, reached in a Liberty hot spot Tuesday, said calling on the federal government to intervene was the correct action as such telecommunications were not regulated locally but in Washington.

“It’s been a challenge,” she said. “There have been lots of discussions in the community that we’ve had about concerns with Liberty.”

Denver, Colorado-based Liberty, which replaced AT&T in the territory in October 2020, had cited problems with Virgin Islands government agencies, including unexpected bureaucracy and communication issues.

Frett-Gregory said the Department of Planning and Natural Resources had agreed to expedite Liberty’s permit requests but that those issues did not explain the company’s service failures, which cause phones to lose connection and only make emergency calls.

The company’s former USVI general manager, Bala Balakrishnan, was promoted and moved to a different role within the corporation in July 2023, and new territorial manager Ravindra Maywahlall started in January, promising “better customer management, service, and custom-made offers.”

Liberty’s parent company, Liberty Latin America, did not reply to multiple requests for comment. The company’s media relations email bounced back as not working. Parts of the company’s website link to non-existent pages, and rave customer reviews for Liberty’s Broadband V.I. service appear to be at least four years old. A public relations person from Liberty V.I. promised a statement was forthcoming.

In December, one Virgin Islands Liberty customer said she might call the FCC to complain. Sen. Diane Capehart, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, urged Virgin Islanders who feel slighted by Liberty to do just that.

“Advocate for better service. Call the numbers. Complain to the customer service number. Call and complain,” Capehart said. “They also need to call the Public Services Commission to complain.”

She said Liberty offered better service to its mainland customers, as well as Puerto Rico-based customers.

Other bills approved Monday included an act renaming a portion of Gamle Gade to William A. Industrious Street and an act honoring Bernice Alma Turnbull for her service to the people of the Virgin Islands.

The senators also approved a $10,000 annual scholarship program for people studying for careers in the maritime industry in the Virgin Islands and reduced the amount of time a person can collect unemployment benefits — without reducing the total dollar amount.

They approved the creation of a Territorial Chronic Kidney Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes Registry and a bill outlawing nonconsensual dissemination of sexually explicit images.

VIports Partners Selected for P3 Development of Airports

Members of the V.I. Port Authority board meet on Tuesday to vote on a P3 developer for the territory’s airports. (Screenshot from Zoom meeting)

VIports Partners was approved as the V.I. Port Authority’s potential public-private partner for both the Cyril E. King and Henry E. Rohlsen airports on Tuesday during a special governing board meeting. VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe and the Evaluation Committee’s approved P3 recommendation authorized the executive director to enter into a transition agreement with VIports Partners, which officials said would take about nine months to finalize.

Kate Davis, procurement and contracts manager for the Port Authority, provided the staff’s summary on the P3 development that led to VIports Partners being selected as the recommended developer after review of their request for proposal.

“The purpose of the RFP was to receive proposals and select the firm that best meets the priorities identified by the authority and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Davis.

Those priorities include a firm that can provide the authority and the territory the best overall value during the development and operational phases of the airport P3, maximize short-term and long-term economic benefits to the territory, and create a terminal design for both St. Thomas and St. Croix that is: sustainable and resilient, embodies the U.S. Virgin Islands’ energy and cultural feel, is innovative and efficient, can be modified to meet changing requirements and standards, will meet projected passenger activity level and demands and will enhance the flexibility and efficiency of passenger processing and airfield operations.

The board identified VIports Partners as the best airport operator that will focus on customer service, passenger amenities, and retail offerings. They will design and redevelop the airports to satisfy minimum LEED Silver standards and building code requirements for resiliency, enhance passenger options by adding new routes, increase cargo activity at the airports, increase non-aeronautical revenues at both airports, perform Part 139 inspections as the agent of the Port Authority, ensure compliance with FAA requirements, negotiate future airline lease and use agreements as well as concession agreements with all airport tenants, increase the number and availability of passenger boarding bridges, partner with a developer and operator that places a high value on its human capital, and provide enhanced local business opportunities during the redevelopment and operational phases.

VIports Partners along with Vantage Airport Group Ltd., the Port Authority’s two top-ranked firms, both submitted compliant responses on Feb. 15, the deadline for the request for proposals.

“While both proposals received were exceptional and each had its own unique strengths and qualities, and they both understood the goals outlined by the authority in the RFP, the evaluation committee concluded that the values outlined by VIports Partners in its submitted proposal aligns the closest to those stated values of the authority and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Davis.

Both entities were scored on their design and construction plan, operational plan, business plan, environmental plan, and financial plan.

Before voting, board member Celestino White said that the decision made by the board is “a monumental and historic one.” He asked Davis how soon after a decision is made will the selected P3 entity be ready to move forward.

Davis responded that both VIPorts Partners and Vantage Airport Group Ltd. agreed to sign a transition agreement within 15 days and P3 agreements later this year.

White also asked about employee retention. Davis said that was one of the aspects that they imposed upon the proposers.

“VIports Partners have committed that they will retain all of our employees,” said Davis.

Port Authority senior staff attorney Vincent Frazer also acknowledged that existing airport leases will be secured until expired.

Regarding concerns around the privatization, Dowe said that the Port Authority “wanted to upgrade both facilities, both airports.” He added that “there is no exchange of the asset, which means the airports continue to remain under the ownership of the port and by virtue the government of the Virgin Islands.” Essentially, the facility is being leased to the private entity.

Dowe added that though the private partner will manage the airport, the board will still manage their assets at Lindbergh Bay Beach, Bournefield, and 400-plus acres on St. Croix.

According to Larry Belinsky, managing director of Frasca & Associates (P3 and financial advisor to the Port Authority), the transition period of implementing the partnership with Viports Partners will take nine months and after, the renovation of the airports will take approximately 48 months. Construction is slated to begin at the end of the second quarter of 2025.

Board member and Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte expressed concern about “losing momentum” of revenue streams while the transition period takes place.

In a 6-1 vote, the board approved VIports Partners. Boschulte was the only dissenting vote.

In other news, the Port Authority unanimously renewed property insurance for $60 million.

Board members Boschulte, acting Attorney General Ian Clement, Derek Gabriel, Willard John, Kevin Rodriguez, Leona Smith, and Celestino White Sr. were present.

Timeline of activities surrounding P3 development:

  • Sept. 21, 2022 — The Port Authority board authorized the executive director to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) inviting interested parties to submit proposals for a potential public-private partnership, referred to as Airport P3, for both the Cyril E. King Airport and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.

  • March 16, 2023 — The Port Authority received eight compliant statements of qualifications.

  • April 19, 2023 — The Port Authority board authorized the executive director to accept the Evaluation Committee’s recommended short-list of RFQ responders for the request for proposal phase. Only the four firms short-listed during the RFQ stage were invited to participate in the RFP phase.

  • June 29, 2023 — RFP No. 2023-RFP-0007 was released by the Port Authority in conjunction with their advisory team (financial and P3 advisor, Frasca & Associates, LLC (“Frasca”), its transaction legal advisor, Mayer Brown LLP (“Mayer Brown” or “Transaction Legal Advisor”), it’s technical advisors, Paslay Group (“Paslay” or the “Technical Advisor”) and Ricondo and Associates (“Ricondo”), Public Strategies Group (“PSG” or “Communications and Stakeholder Outreach”) and local counsel, Law Offices of Jennifer Jones and Law Office of Trudy Fenster, P.C. (each “Local Counsel”), and others (collectively, the “VIPA Advisors”)) to the four short-listed firms.

  • Feb. 15 — The deadline for the RFP was enacted at 4 p.m.

  • March 4 and March 5 — Technical advisors through the Paslay Group, Ricondo and Preston Beyer, the Port Authority’s director of engineering, briefed the evaluation committee on the technical portion of the proposals.

  • March 6 — The Evaluation Committee was briefed on the business, financial and form of offer portions of the proposal by Frasca & Associates and Mayer Brown. The financial and legal advisory team briefed the evaluators on the financial proposal submitted as well as the results of the best and final offer .

  • March 7 — The Evaluation Committee received oral presentations from both proposers.

  • March 8 — The Evaluation Committee reconvened to score the proposals. The Evaluation Committee concluded that the values outlined by VIports Partners in its submitted proposal align the closest to the values of the Port Authority and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  • March 26 — The Port Authority board approved VIports Partners as the preferred proposer for the public-private partnership of the territory’s airports.

Police Commissioner Cleared in Investigation for Officer-Involved Shooting

V.I. Police Department Commissioner Ray Martinez was under investigation for an officer-involved shooting without injuries, the V.I. Police Department reported Tuesday.

The incident occurred at Hull Bay on March 5, which ultimately led to the arrest of Mohammed Salem, 34, according to the police report.

Salem is accused of stabbing and killing his father, Hakem Salem, 69, on March 5 at their Estate Lerkenlund home before fleeing the area, which led to a manhunt. He was eventually captured in the water off Tropaco Point in Hull Bay.

Per the V.I. Police Department’s policies, the commissioner was placed on administrative leave with pay from March 5-8 and, after being cleared by a department psychologist, returned to work on March 9. The department also reached out to Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELEFA) to conduct an independent review of the incident. This was to ensure that an independent review was done and to take the investigation and findings out of the hands of the VIPD, the police report stated.

Effective Law Enforcement for All is a nonprofit organization that relies on a multi-disciplinary team of former police chiefs, senior law enforcement officials, and policing subject-matter experts to promote understanding, transparency, and trust between police agencies and the public. ELEFA’s experts have assisted New Orleans, Montgomery County, Maryland, and Orlando, Florida, and have been selected to oversee the implementation of a consent decree concerning the Minneapolis Police Department, the report stated.

It is the policy of the V.I. Police Department not to disclose the names of individuals involved in officer-involved shootings. However, due to the nature of this incident and the fact that it involves Police Commissioner Martinez, the department believes it is necessary to divulge this information to promote an independent and transparent investigation based on his position, according to the report.

ELEFA will conduct an independent review and provide the Office of the Governor and the
police department with their findings at the conclusion of the investigation, it said.

 

Reggae Giant Vaughn Benjamin May Get St. Croix Monument

The testifiers above were just some who supported honoring Akae Beka. (Screenshot courtesy V.I. Legislature live stream)

V.I. Senate hearings can take on colorful and diverse tones, but Tuesday’s hearing to honor reggae personality Vaughn Benjamin, also known as Akae Beka, took on a musical tone. Benjamin died in 2019 at the age of 50. Many of his songs have hit the Billboard Reggae Album Top 10 chart many times.

The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection was considering commending Vaughn Benjamin for his contributions to reggae music in the Virgin Islands and the global communities, appropriating $45,000 to the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department for the design and construction of the “Vaughn Benjamin Monument,” and naming the waterfront park west of the Marley Homes “The Vaughn ‘Akae Beka’ Memorial Park.”

Testifier Phil Codrington said the best way to talk about Benjamin was to quote from his song lyrics. From various songs, he highlighted these quotes.

“They have low ways sweet and convincing in the beginning the two faces of evil and oppression. True face of negatives and suppression… I am the Kabba stone, the original corner stone the Kabba Stone…Destroying the blueprint so no one can see who is the original and who is the copy.”

A sample of Benjamin’s music can be heard here. ‎

Vaughn Benjamin (Photo by James Lakay)Vaughn Benjamin by James Lakay)
Vaughn Benjamin (Photo by James Lakay)

Musician and former Energy Office Director Bevan Smith said that Benjamin “deserves this recognition as the most prolific, globally accomplished, and widely respected musician to ever come out of the Virgin Islands.”

Smith also had a couple of favorite quotes from Benjamin’s music. He mentioned,  “… your body is your temple, your one and only temple, you are living in the Holy places of the tabernacle of the Most High Jah, love the life you live, lead the life you love … don’t shed no tears …” and “… Black is the color of our Solar System, out of blackness was born the light, Black is the color of the whole universe, your morning starts with darkness, did not your morning start with darkness, well so does tonight, Alpha and Omega I, the beginning and the end …”

Senate President Novelle Francis Jr., who attended the meeting as a non-committee member but as a bill sponsor, said Benjamin was a “reggae giant.”

The committee voted unanimously and favorably to send the act to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further action.

Sens. Samuel Carrión, Ray Fonseca, Alma Francis Heyliger, Javan James Sr. and Carla Joseph were among the committee members attending. Sens. Kenneth Gittens and Milton Potter were absent.

Community Partnerships Urged at STJ Public Safety Meeting

About 50 residents, business owners and youth joined a recent police town meeting on community partnerships, said Zone D Captain Sharon Colbourne. (Source file photo)

Police officials on St. John are counting the ways their recent town meeting in Cruz Bay met their expectations. More than 50 residents and business owners joined the March 21 meeting to express concerns, ask questions and show their support for a number of anti-crime initiatives.

Prominent among them was Project Safe Neighborhood, a federally supported nationwide program designed to identify crime trends in cities and towns and find ways to diminish them.

One of the Thursday meeting organizers said introducing the concept of community partnerships was one of the goals. “Everyone is a stakeholder,” said V.I. Police Department Capt. Sharon Colbourne.

Counting 13 volunteers willing to sign up as community partners from St. John, police said the island will finally have a presence in the local safe neighborhood program.

And while many safe neighborhood areas have identifiable violent crime characteristics, Colbourne said the prevalent crimes on St. John are accidents or quarreling.

Now and then, she added, the pattern may vary. At the end of 2023 a spate of break-ins appeared. With the community’s help, three suspects were identified and apprehended.

After that, the captain said, the rash of burglaries ceased. “Thanks to the community, we were able to capture three individuals,” the captain said.

To try and keep St. John’s community spirit thriving for the future, meeting organizers also welcomed a number of youth participants. They were welcomed by Youth Advisory Board Chair Jacqueline Freeman.

All who attended on Thursday were also introduced to a team of community service officers. Their job, Colbourne said, is to address situations that might otherwise prompt a call for police assistance. There was also a discussion of a community-supported offender re-entry program in support of the notion that those who pay their debt to society deserve a second chance.

And while officials had their time to talk, they also took the time to listen and follow up on incidents that deeply concerned the island’s business community in recent years. Colbourne said the VIPD Investigations Bureau is still at work on two jewelry store robberies in the Cruz Bay area, one in which a merchant was shot and injured.

The captain encourages anyone who thinks they may have information related to those incidents to contact the Virgin Islands Police Department Investigations Bureau at 340-774-2211 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

“I have to thank the community because the community gets involved,” Colbourne said.