CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – August 14, 2023 - Dwayne A. Benjamin joined the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) as Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the VIEDA on July 31, 2023 to assist the VIEDA in its mandate to aid the Government of the Virgin Islands in its duties to develop the economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As Assistant CEO, Mr. Benjamin will assist with overseeing three of the VIEDA’s four entities: the Economic Development Commission, the Economic Development Bank and the Enterprise Commission. These entities, respectively, are responsible for attracting investors to the Territory to establish or relocate their business in the USVI, providing financial assistance for new and existing small to medium-sized businesses in the USVI, and assisting V.I. residents and business owners with rehabilitating their properties located in distressed areas that were once vibrant economic centers of activity in the Territory.
VIEDA ACEO Benjamin is a member of VIEDA’s executive team that develops strategy to foster investment and support small businesses in the Territory to promote economic growth, job creation and community development.
“It is indeed an honor for me to serve the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands in this new role because economic development is at the heart of the USVI and every location. It is truly a privilege to work at the VIEDA - alongside CEO Biggs, the VIEDA team and our organization’s many economic development partners in this Territory and from abroad - to continuously expound on opportunities that can improve our community’s quality of life,” said VIEDA ACEO Dwayne A. Benjamin. "I am humbled by being entrusted with the responsibilities of this position. And I look forward to working with the VIEDA team, its Board of Directors and all our economic development partners as we continue to focus on enhancing and promoting the USVI as a key business destination in the Caribbean,” added VIEDA ACEO Benjamin.
Mr. Benjamin previously served as Deputy Executive Director of Virgin Islands Lottery from March 2019 until his hiring as ACEO of the VIEDA. As Deputy Executive Director, he developed organization policy and procedures; planned, organized and managed operations; developed and monitored agency strategic goals and key performance indicators; and collaborated with executive members and department leaders on agency objectives. Mr. Benjamin also served as assistant director of the VI Bureau of Corrections, and director of property at the V.I. Department of Property & Procurement.
In addition to his service within the executive branch of the USVI government, Mr. Benjamin served as chief researcher for the 20th Legislature of the Virgin Islands and worked in the private sector as a senior management consultant at First Source, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Benjamin received his Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Human Development Family Studies-Martial Therapy-Higher Education-Counseling, Education-Sociology/Criminology-Law Enforcement Administration/Corrections from Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa. He also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology/Criminology from Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina.
The VIEDA welcomes ACEO Benjamin - and his contributions - as one of its newest members of the VIEDA team.
For more information, send an email to info@usvieda.org.