The Board of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has appointed Mr Kevin Richards to the post of Chief Financial Officer. Photo: Provided

The Chief Technology Officer, Mr Russell Jones, is responsible for leading the execution of technology strategy for technology platforms, partnership and external relationships with the operators along with proactively and reactively dealing with major technological changes to ensure proper institution of those changes and avoid negative effects in the VI. Photo: Provided

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the TRC’s internal and external financial functions, including budget and financial management, cash flow management, collection and verification of licensee’s royalty and industry levy payments and the review of licensee’s audited financial statements and other statistical reports.

The Chief Technology Officer is responsible for leading the execution of technology strategy for technology platforms, partnership and external relationships with the operators along with proactively and reactively dealing with major technological changes to ensure proper institution of those changes and avoid negative effects in the VI. 

Mr Richards is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He began his studies in accountancy at the University of the Virgin Islands, completing in London at Emile Woolf College (FTC) in 2004 and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2005. He holds an Associates in Management and Bachelors of Arts in Accounting, has acquired his foundational certification in STEP, and a level five Diploma in Management from the Chartered Management Institute.

Mr Jones has completed Military and College training in various locations around the world and the USA. He has achieved the titles of Master Technician and Systems Engineer with a concentration in Advanced Telecommunications and Computer Programming and Systems installation and is locally recognised as a technology expect. He has also served as Chief Engineer for various cellular and telephone corporation in the US and [British] Virgin Islands.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr Guy Lester Malone has stated that he is excited in welcoming both Mr Richards and Mr Jones to the TRC team. He also expressed that at this critical time as technology advances, the TRC must ensure that the Service Providers adhere to the conditions of their Unitary License, a very important function of the new CTO. It is extremely important to have these two senior positions filled at such a critical time in the TRC’s development. The Chairman of the TRC also expressed her elation to both joining the team. She stated in particular, that Mr Jones will be very busy as our aim is to embrace new technology trends in the VI while ensuring that the needs and expectations of consumers both (individual and corporate) are met in terms of enabling and facilitating the availability and affordability of adequate telecommunications infrastructure and services. This in turn ensures the long term benefit to the residents and businesses in the Virgin Islands.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is a statutory body responsible for regulating the telecommunications sector of the Virgin Islands. The TRC advises the Minister for Communications and Works on telecommunications policies internationally and regionally and protects the interests of users of telecommunications services.