New and existing Permanent Secretaries have been appointed and have received their assignments within the ministries of Government.

New appointments include Mr. Kedrick Malone, assigned to the Premier’s Office for a period of six months in the first instance on a contractual basis; and Mrs. Sharleen Dabreo-Lettsome, MBE has been appointed to act as Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Existing Permanent Secretaries that have been transferred and given new portfolios are Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe from the Office of the Deputy Governor now to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture; Dr. Marcia Potter from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration; and Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley has been transferred from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration to the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Petrona Davies remains as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in accordance with section 92 of the Virgin Islands Constitution, has decided on the mentioned appointments which will take effect between the 4^th and 9^th of September 2019.

Mr. Kedrick Malone, Permanent Secretary, Premier’s Office holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College, New York, USA and a Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Management and Minor in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, former Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Mrs. Sharleen Dabreo-Lettsome, MBE attained a Master of Science (with Merit) in Business Management in 2009 and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Management (Suma Cum Laude) from Arkansas Tech University, USA in 2001.  She also holds a Master Certificate in Results Based Monitoring and Evaluation and Information Systems; is a Chartered Manager CMgr MCMI and Certified Emergency Manager® (CEM®). Mrs Dabreo-Lettsome, MBE will maintain oversight of the Disaster Management subject in the first instance of her appointment.

Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe attained a Master of Public Service and Administration degree in 2007 from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A & M University, USA, a Bachelor’s degree and an Associate degree in Christian Education and Office Assistance and Administration/Business Management, respectively. She also holds a Level 7 Executive Diploma in Strategic Management from the Chartered Management Institute, UK.

Dr. Marcia Potter in 2000 became a Doctor of Philosophy (Education); 1996 earned a Master of Arts (Education) (Distinction); Bachelor of Arts (Upper Second Class Hours all from the University of the West Indies and from 2015-2020 serves as Deputy Chair for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley earned a Master of Science Degree in Economics in 1997a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing in 1995. 

Mrs. Petrona Davies obtained a Master of Science in Governance and Development Management (Distinction) from the University of Birmingham, UK, 2000; Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice (Summa Cum Laude) in 1994 and Level 7 Executive Diploma in Strategic Management, Chartered Management Institute, UK; a professional certificate in Social Development from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Certification in Arbitration from Chartered Institutes of Arbitration, UK. 

As Permanent Secretaries, the appointees serve as chief advisors on the strategic management, leadership and execution of subjects within their assigned ministries. They oversee the overall coordination and administration of the ministry and ensure that all activities are carried out in accordance with Government policies, procedures and global standards.

The Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer Jr. who serves as the supervisor of the Permanent Secretaries said, “I am confident in the competence and commitment of our current cadre of Permanent Secretaries and their ability to advance Government’s agenda while leading a dynamic public service.”

The role of Permanent Secretary also includes exercising broad policy oversight over all departments and units within the assigned ministry, and overseeing and coordinating the budget submission of all departments within the ministry, among many other duties.