Three More Cabinet Members Sworn-In at Ceremony Thursday

Three new members of Gov. Albert Bryan’s Cabinet we’re sworn-in during a ceremony on St. Thomas Thursday.  Office of Collective Bargaining Chief Negotiator Joss Springette; Sports, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White; and Law Enforcement Planning Commission Director Ray Martinez formally took their respective offices with swearing in event. 

Mr. Bryan addressed each of the new cabinet members directly.

“We have to start to look at our crime problem statistically and have a push and a pull,” he said, addressing Mr. Martinez. “We can’t just lock people up. We have to give people things to do.”

When Mr. Bryan first spoke with Mr. White about being the Sports “Czar,” the commissioner turned him down.

“He said, I don’t want to do it. I love the kids. I want to do things that will allow me to impact the kids,” Mr. Bryan said. “This guy has put together an incredible team at Sports, Parks, and Recreation. Calvert has that passion and that drive to keep things going.”

Ms. Springette, the governor, was a key part in stabilizing and restoring trust in the government. 

“Part of our plan is being trustworthy to our customers, for me as governor to say something and follow through and deliver on it,” he said. “Every day Joss has to make sure we’re delivering on that trust. Not only that but to be fair when we’re assessing an employee.”

Ms. Springette, who previously served as general counsel to the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission, is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

She also is a former assistant attorney general-labor for the Office of Collective Bargaining and represented the central government in labor and employment matters in arbitration, mediation and before the Public Employment Relations Board.

The Office of Collective Bargaining serves as the exclusive representative for the executive branch, and its departments and agencies, in all collective bargaining proceedings.

Mr. White previously was the acting commissioner of Sports, Parks, and Recreation on St. Thomas and had worked at the department for more than 12 years, including as assistant commissioner, when he was instrumental in the initiation of the Annual Governor’s Youth Territorial Games.

Mr. White holds a bachelor of arts degree in sports management from Southeast Missouri State University.

Mr. Martinez worked for the Virgin Islands Police Department for more than 12 years, including as the VIPD’s director of intelligence and the director of Internal Affairs.

When Mr. Bryan appointed Mr. Martinez in April, the governor said his administration would refocus the LEPC to ensure a more data-driven approach in the development of anti-crime programs and initiatives in the territory.

Mr. Martinez has a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and criminology from Kaplan University and a master of science degree in criminal justice and criminology from the University of Cincinnati. He also is a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Criminal Investigation Training Program.