U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. issued a statement thanking Department of Public Works Commissioner Nelson Petty Jr. for his years of service maintaining and upgrading the Territory’s infrastructure, particularly after the devastating hurricanes of 2017.
Commissioner Petty is leaving public service at the end of the month to work in the private sector and will be a Division Manager of a private company’s operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Commissioner Petty is leaving some large boots to fill, and while the Territory, and the Bryan/Roach Administration, will miss the excellent job he has done since taking the helm of the department in 2017, I wish him nothing but success in his new role,” Governor Bryan said.
Commissioner Petty said some of the more memorable projects he has undertaken while heading the Department of Public Works include the expansion of Veterans Drive on the St. Thomas Waterfront; ongoing repairs and construction on Melvin Evans Highway on St. Croix; the Main Street Enhancement Project in Downtown Charlotte Amalie; and the new VITRAN Transit Maintenance and Operations Bus Facility on St. Croix.
“Being the Commissioner over the last three years has afforded me the opportunity to meet and make lasting connections with members of the Governor’s Cabinet, governing boards, members of the Chambers of Commerce, business leaders, contractors and others, for which I am truly thankful,” the Commissioner said. “However, I am most appreciative of the bonds that were formed with the employees of the Department of Public Works. I wish them well and have every confidence that they will continue to serve the people of the Virgin Islands honorably and to the best of their ability. I’d also like to thank Governor Bryan and Lt. Governor Tregenza Roach for this opportunity to serve the Virgin Islands.”
Commissioner Petty joined the Department of Public Works in 1996 and held a number of positions with the DPW, including overseeing the Federal Highway Division until accepting the nomination for commissioner.
Assistant Public Works Commissioner Dennis Brow will be the Acting Commissioner, effective January 1, 2021, following Commissioner Petty’s departure.
The Bryan/Roach Administration continues to be committed to transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in government and ensuring the disaster recovery is completed as quickly as possible.