VIslander launches Environmental Systems Consultancy
Last evening April 10, 2013 Ms Titley-O'Neal launched her own consultancy firm under the name ‘Environmental Systems Consultancy’, a firm which is based in her home island of Virgin Gorda. Titley-O’Neal struggled to hold back the tears at the launch of the firm as she recalled the impact her father had on her success of today. She could not, however, stop the tears from flowing when her close relative Ms Rose Gardner spoke of the most influential people in her life, including her parents and grandparents.
She has spent all her life living between Virgin Gorda and Tortola in the VI. She has always had a passion for the sea and the environment from a very early age, and this was heavily influenced by her late father Amos Jerome O’Neal, who she said was the brainchild of the firm.
This love for the sea and the environment is what led her to pursue degrees related to the environment, become a certified SCUBA diver, and has participated in several local sports fishing tournaments. Sandy, as she is affectionately called by persons in the community, completed her BSc. in Marine Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington in the United States in 1999; a MSc. in Applied Marine Science from the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom in 2001; and most recently, a PhD. in Marine Biology from the University of New Brunswick in Canada in 2011.
Minister for Communication and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool was present to make remarks and was high in praise of the the VIslander’s courage and passion for her work. He credited her for stepping up to the challenge of producing a well needed study document on the cruise ship harbour. “There were some issues where we had some shallow areas and some shallow banks before we could have invited the large ships in,” and added that following the discussions on names that were submitted to conduct the study Dr Cassander Titley-O’Neal stood out and was given the job.
“Well I was pleasantly surprised to see how she ran with it because she took it on. When I asked her how she was going to arrange with the diving and so-on, she said sir! I do my own diving and I got kind of worry out there with that kind of water with the kind of mud and silt and so that come down. But Sandy was so accustomed to this she was not shaken at all,” said the Honourable Vanterpool while noting that shortly after the government was furnished with a very comprehensive draft report, which was even extend to some other areas. “I can attest to her works, if you want a reference check me out,” he added.
Noting that the company has been in existence in the person of Cassander Titley-O’Neal, he is pleased to see it expanding its scope to undertake a lot more projects and that the vision is to see her recommended beyond the borders of the Virgin Islands to further afield in the Caribbean region and the international scene. “I hope that she would link up and work with other companies throughout the world as she does her good works.”
In her brief remarks at the occasion to mark the launch of her consultancy, Dr Titley-O’Neal emphasized the importance of being a team player as she has to utilise the service of other experts in the various fields in the execution of her works. Today she is home in the Virgin Islands for a short period as she is currently furthering her studies in Canada.
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