Russell Harrigan is a former BVITB Chairman under the NDP administration from 2003 to 2007, and has again been named Chairman under that administration.

Ayana Hull-Brathwaite will be the new TRC Chairman.

This was announced in the House of Assembly this morning, Monday December 19, 2011 by Premier D. Orlando Smith.

Dr. Smith, who also holds the Tourism Minister’s cap, stated that the board is tasked with re-energising the tourism sector, which is currently in free fall.

According to him, “what is required is a rescue and recovery strategy to halt the decline, stabilise the industry, and return tourism in a path of long term goal”. To this end, he disclosed that Harrigan is the new chairman with the other members being Sharon Flax-Mars; Romney Penn; Julian Johnson; Denniston Fraser; Clyde Lettsome; Tania Whistler; Julia Dawson; Wilbert Mason; Robert Henry; Elmore Stoutt and Lawrence Wheatley. The ex- officio members will be the Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, the Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office and the Director of the BVITB.

Premier Smith added that Cabinet approved the new board members on Thursday December 7, 2011 and its membership reflects range and diversity of the local industry and the various products offered in the Virgin Islands (VI).

so that collectively we can hear their concerns and challenges as we formulate our rescue and recovery strategy. I am hereby calling on all persons to listen up for the date of that meeting and to make time to attend. It is intended to be a session for us to listen and hear the needs and concerns of the industry"

Harrigan was appointed before as Chairman of the BVITB under the NDP Government between 2003-2007 and has also been a former Director of the Board.

Under the now opposition Virgin Islands Party Government of Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, between 2007-2011 the BVI TB saw three chairmen. They were Terry Forde, Myron Walwyn now turned politician, and Neil Blyden, who resigned on November 9, 2011.

Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to get new Chair

Meanwhile, the same source has confirmed that Attorney At Law Ayana Hull-Brathwaite is expected to be appointed Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). It is unclear when this appointment will take place or when it will be announced by the Orlando Smith Administration.

In 2004, Hull-Brathwaite was admitted as a Barrister in England and Wales and a Barrister of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands). She currently works at the private firm Maples and Calder.

The Former TRC Chairman Colin Scaliffe resigned two months ago to seek political office in the 4th district as an independent candidate.