Mrs. Arliene T. Penn has been appointed to act as Executive Private Secretary, Office of the Governor effective August 20, 2018. 

The appointment was made by His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Augustus Jaspert, in accordance with section 92 of the Virgin Islands Constitution, and acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.

In her capacity, Mrs. Penn will act as the head of the Office of the Governor, Virgin Islands team. She will ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the Office and the supervision of the administrative staff and indirectly the staff at the Government House and the Old Government House Museum.

She will be responsible for providing expert advice and guidance to the Governor on various matters including policy issues and legislative reviews and analysis. She will also liaise with ministries, departments and other agencies on the Governor’s behalf.

The role of Governor is one of service and partnership. A partnership with the elected government, public service, the United Kingdom; the faith, voluntary and community organisations, and the people of the Territory.

As the accounting officer, she will manage the budget for Office of the Governor by coordinating the preparation of the annual budget estimates of recurrent expenditure, ensuring the proper handling of public funds in accordance with financial instructions. 

Additionally, Mrs. Penn will lead in the implementation of the strategic plan and objectives of the Office and forge partnerships across the Public Service and with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to achieve objectives and solutions.

She will also assist in the management of the Governor's public profile through proactive planning and coordination of events, appearances and communications.

Mrs. Penn attained a master’s degree with honours in Leadership from Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota; a master’s degree with honours in Public Communication and a bachelor’s degree with honours in Journalism, minor in sociology with honours respectively from American University, Washington, DC; an associate’s degree with honours in Business Administration: marketing concentration from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College; a certificate in Future Global Leadership Development from the University of the Virgin Islands and a certificate in Good Practices in Public Sector Management from the Singapore Public Service College. Mrs. Penn who is currently completing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration was inducted into the International Honour Society for Public Affairs and Administration.

In 2011, she was appointed Director of Communications, Government of the Virgin Islands, serving as communications advisor to the Premier and other government officials including, heads of department and other senior public officers, House of Assembly members, statutory bodies and boards. As the director, she also served as accounting officer and provided strategic leadership and advice to the Department of Information and Public Relations.

Additionally, she also provided administrative and policy support to the Permanent Secretary, Premier’s Office in various areas including financial services, National Risk Assessment, immigration, international affairs, and tourism, among other areas.  

Mrs. Penn joined the Public Service in February 2004 and served as assistant Information Officer, and subsequently as Information Officer within the Department of Information & Public Relations, providing direct support to all ministries.

Before joining the Government, Mrs. Penn worked as Traffic Director and Station Manager of ZRODFM; Resort Food and Beverage Sales Representative and Marketing Assistant with Road Town Wholesale Trading Limited. She has also served as Graduate Assistant to the Director of Public Communications of American University’s School of Communications, Washington DC. She has also worked with Ricochet Public Relations, Wall Street, New York.