WAPA Board Meeting Hints at More Changes to Leadership

A special meeting of the V.I. Water and Power Authority Governing Board on Thursday signaled more changes to the utility’s C-suite. According to a WAPA spokesperson, unspecified votes taken during Thursday’s meeting pertained to the chief operating officer of electric systems and chief financial officer positions but did not name names.

The board convened at 11 a.m. and immediately entered executive session for more than two hours to discuss personnel matters. Afterward, Board Secretary Juanita Young reported only that the board took two votes. One matter was approved unanimously and the other was approved 4-1. Board Chair Hubert Turnbull said during the meeting that the utility’s executive director, Karl Knight, would issue a press release elaborating on the actions. The board then adjourned, and no press release had been issued by Thursday night.

WAPA’s management team has undergone numerous changes since Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. declared a still-active local state of emergency nearly eight months ago amid rolling blackouts and nonpayment to vendors that threatened the stable supply of electricity to Virgin Islanders. Former Chief Executive Officer Andrew Smith, who assumed leadership of the authority in January 2022, opted not to renew his contract ending on June 30. Interim COO of Electric Ashley Bryan served as the utility’s interim CEO and executive director until the appointment of Karl Knight — Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s former chief of staff — on July 25.