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After almost 22 years as BVIEC GM, Leroy A. E. Abraham will retire

- May stay on for a year after retirement @ BVI Electricity Corporation
After almost 22 years at the helm of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), General Manager Mr Leroy A.E. Abraham will be calling it a day. Photo: BVIEC
Mr Leroy A.E. Abraham started out at the BVI Electricity Corporation some 35 years ago. Photo: BVIEC
Mr Leroy A.E. Abraham started out at the BVI Electricity Corporation some 35 years ago. Photo: BVIEC
Chairman of the BVIEC Board of Directors Mrs Rosemarie Flax said Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham, after 35 years of distinguished service, 21 of which comprised service as General Manager, has applied to the Board of Directors for retirement effective at the end of 2022. Photo: BVIEC
Chairman of the BVIEC Board of Directors Mrs Rosemarie Flax said Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham, after 35 years of distinguished service, 21 of which comprised service as General Manager, has applied to the Board of Directors for retirement effective at the end of 2022. Photo: BVIEC
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI- After almost 22 years at the helm of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), General Manager Mr Leroy A.E. Abraham will be calling it a day.

According to reports reaching our newsroom, Mr Abraham has applied for retirement, effective at the end of 2022.

It is believed Mr Abraham started out at the BVI Electricity Corporation some 35 years ago and understudied the former General Manager Ronnie W. Skelton, who became a Minister of Government and a Deputy Chief Minister.

The now General Manager (GM) Leroy A. E. Abraham took the reign as GM in 2000 following the retirement of Mr Skelton some 22 years later.

Voluntary retirement, not forced out!

Sources within the BVIEC familiar with the matter noted that Mr Abraham was not forced out but asked to retire. His last day on the job is expected to be December 31, 2022; however, he may have vacation days to use.

Mr Abraham's voluntary retirement was confirmed by the Chair of the BVIEC Board, Mrs Rosemarie Flax.

"Mr Abraham, after 35 years of distinguished service, 21 of which comprised service as General Manager, has applied to the Board of Directors for retirement effective at the end of 2022. A replacement has not been identified as the employment process has to be followed. The appointment of the General Manager of BVIEC is on approval of the Governor in Council," Mrs Flax told our newsroom today, September 30, 2022.

It is also our understanding that the Board of Directors agreed to Mr Abraham coming back for a year to assist in the transition to a new General Manager.

During his tenure, Mr Abraham has been praised for his quick and effective response after many hurricanes to restore power to residents. He was instrumental in the purchase of new engines for the Corporation that stabilised the electric grid in the Territory. 

Lasting contribution to Region

Mr Abraham was appointed last year as the Chairman of the prestigious Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) and is the first Virgin Islander to be so appointed.

CARILEC, which was established in 1989, is an association of energy solution providers and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean.

The organisation comprises more than 100 members, which include 33 full members that are electric utilities, and more than 80 independent power producers, associate members, and affiliate members that are companies involved in some aspect of servicing the electric utility business.

Up to publication time, Mr Abraham could be reached for comments.

23 Responses to “After almost 22 years as BVIEC GM, Leroy A. E. Abraham will retire”

  • Thanks and bye (29/09/2022, 14:52) Like (8) Dislike (41) Reply
    Why do we keep having these old school elderly folks around in these positions. I doubt she can send a Wattsapp msg. We need young vibrant people and minds that are new age and technological savvy for these type of jobs. Once you have the hook up I. Tortola they keep you around for donkey years like Tortola owe these heads a favor. Stop it. Stop it.
    • VOTER #6 (29/09/2022, 18:27) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
      IF YOU CAN DO THE JOB COME FORWARD AND APPLIED. YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T WANT THOSE KIND OF JOBS.

    • Rubber Duck (30/09/2022, 11:59) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Clearly you dont know Leroy Abrahams, a very bright and personable person and one of natures gentlemen. He did an absolutely excellent job after Irma. Enjoy retirement Leroy.
  • Problem solver (29/09/2022, 14:53) Like (52) Dislike (1) Reply

    What I know is those electricity trucks needs to park up when they are not working,problem solve.to much unnecessary driving causing a fuel strain on BVIEC. Then of course you know who has to pay the price for that.
  • Nice (29/09/2022, 14:53) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good to hear!!!
  • scat (29/09/2022, 14:54) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    Thanks for your service Leroy!
  • Just saying (29/09/2022, 15:02) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    I knew I could depend on vino for tge facts
  • annudda2cents (29/09/2022, 15:09) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    Say what you may about Mr. Abraham, but from personal observation of the BVIEC and its staff over the years, he appears to have been a good steward of this very important Government-owned utility company. Let us not be so quick to welcome who is up next as you never know what you may get.
    • Confucious (30/09/2022, 11:44) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      Nope Henry Creque was the best man for the job Leroy is only good for public show!!!!!
  • lol (29/09/2022, 15:19) Like (38) Dislike (6) Reply
    Good show Leroy. Thank you for your long service
  • Two Way Mirror (29/09/2022, 15:40) Like (12) Dislike (12) Reply
    I wonder if Mr. Abraham going to contest the next elections if we have one.
  • Windy (29/09/2022, 16:00) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
    He will certainly make good candidate
  • Ready Now (29/09/2022, 17:19) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Oh well, good news| Could it be he is following his predecessor, Honorable Skelton. Most likely he will be on the ticket for election, either new party, or at large, or his own named party. Considering you cannot run for politics as a government employee.

    We shall see what we shall see. Time will certainly tell.
    • @ Read now. (30/09/2022, 06:22) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
      I will vote for him ahead of those four that CSC published....He has manners, he is approachable..most of all he needs a good rest,. How CSC didn't publish Ms. Webster she is the #1 in all women in the BVI interns of good Character, courage and compassion, she is the real honourable.
  • Xxx (29/09/2022, 17:44) Like (15) Dislike (7) Reply
    One of the better public sector managers we have ever had
    • Really? (30/09/2022, 06:58) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      Can you explain why you think that is, please? BVIEC is still woeful with its high costs and woeful service, and not much in the way of an alternative since it is unlawful to be off the grid. There does not seem much in the way of planning for the future (besides buying and burning more fuel). You'd think that given increased power needs of the Territory and a fixed rate of generation, they'd get behind solar, and encourage more of it. Or, that they would work on expanding generation.

      It was less than 35 years ago that there was the debacle with purchasing used generators that were past their service life. Sure, there was pushback and some of the lost monies recouped through litigation, but most of it probably spent on lawyers. After they were replaced with more efficient units, operators sabotaged them to get the overtime they used to get when they were running defective equipment.

      At the end of the day, Mr. Abrams enjoyed a nice sinecure with a fat salary and plenty of benefits, like many other well connected people in the Territory but lamentably he has not left much of a legacy.
  • gm (29/09/2022, 20:37) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The late Mr Steve Turnbull, wasn't he a ( GM) also.?
  • Hrmph (30/09/2022, 08:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe the new manager can work out how to start direct debits to pay my bill again. BVI Elec must be the only electricity company in the world that does not offer such a basic service.
  • god is watching (30/09/2022, 09:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    "May stay on a year after retiring." It's either he's retiring or not retiring. Which is it? Retire and give someone else a chance, sir.
  • BVIEC Staff (30/09/2022, 12:48) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine not one word to the staff as yet. As usual we are kept in the dark and have to hear things on the street before we hear from our own management team.
  • BYE BYE (30/09/2022, 16:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A nice enough guy but a huge impediment to progress at the corporation. Hopefully new leadership will bring real change and innovation in the way of alternative energy and improved customer service.


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