Mr Jason H. Penn, the Brother of Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Malone A. Penn (R8) has been confirmed as Director for the Department of Disaster Management having acted in the position since January 1, 2021. GIS/File

Acting Governor, Mr. David D. Archer, Jr. said Mr. Penn’s confirmation is retroactively effective as of January 1, 2022 and he also commended Mr. Penn for his hard work in the Director capacity. Photo: GIS/File

VI will benefit with Mr Penn @ head of DDM - Acting Governor

Acting Governor, Mr David D. Archer Jr, said Mr Penn’s confirmation is retroactively effective as of January 1, 2022. He also commended Mr Penn for his hard work in the Director capacity, thus far, and his commitment to the Department over the past 23 years.

"I am pleased and excited to see Mr Penn confirmed in this role after the strides he has already made towards enhancing his skills in this important area and as he continues to advance the disaster management programme in the Territory. I have no doubt the team at the Department of Disaster Management, as well as the people of the Virgin Islands, will benefit tremendously with Mr Penn at the helm of the department.”

Mr Penn expressed his gratitude for being able to have the opportunity to serve as Director of the agency, “I am humbled by this opportunity and will continue to serve the people of the Virgin Islands by coordinating the efforts needed to ensure that we are able to sustain and further enhance the internationally accredited Virgin Islands’ Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme,” he said.

New Director commended team for support 

The Director also commended his team at the DDM and remarked that he was grateful for the confidence bestowed upon him as well as expressed gratitude to the team for their continued support.

As Director of Disaster Management, Mr Penn will be responsible for carrying out comprehensive disaster management in accordance with the provisions of the Disaster Management Act and the National Disaster Management Plan, through planning, organising, directing, controlling, and coordinating the work and supervising staff of the Disaster Management Department.

Mr Penn holds a Masters's Certificate in Development and Public Investment Project Management from the University of Laval, Canada, and a Bachelor of Science in Network and Communications Management from Devry University, Atlanta, and also holds a level 7 Executive Diploma in Management from the Chartered Management Institute, United Kingdom.

Mr Penn previously held several roles at the Department of Disaster Management beginning with Technical Assistant in 1999 where he later became an Emergency Communications Officer in 2003 and held the position for 14 years before being promoted to Emergency Communications Manager in 2017.