Albert Bryan Jr.
Albert Bryan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Lieutenant | Tregenza Roach |
| Preceded by | Kenneth Mapp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Albert Bryan Jr. February 21, 1968 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Yolanda Cabodevilla |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Government House |
| Education | Wittenberg University (BA) University of the Virgin Islands (MBA) |
Albert Bryan Jr. (born February 21, 1968) is an American Virgin Islander politician who is the ninth elected governor of the United States Virgin Islands, since 2019. He was commissioner of labor from 2007 to 2015.
A member of the National Governors Association, Bryan was appointed in February 2021, to co-chair the NGA Task Force on Community Renewal and is the territory's first governor to serve on any of the organization task force.[1]
Early life and professional career
Bryan was born on the island of St. Thomas, to Albert Sr. and Genevieve Pilgrim Bryan, the oldest of five sons. He grew up in the Savan neighborhood of Charlotte Amalie, the territory’s capital. As a teenager, Bryan moved to the island St. Croix, where he graduated from St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School in 1985. Bryan earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wittenberg University in 1989. He later received a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix Campus in 2003.[2]
In 2007, Governor John de Jongh appointed Bryan as Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Labor. When de Jongh's term ended in 2015, he returned to the private sector. Bryan was CEO and President of Aabra Group, a consulting firm, and Master Strategies, a recruiting firm. He also was executive director of the Virgin Islands chapter of Junior Achievement.[3]
Political career
In April 2018, Bryan officially announced his candidacy for Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands when he chosen Tregenza Roach. They won the August 4 Democratic primary earning 39.23% of the vote to defeat former Finance commissioner Angel E. Dawson Jr. and former Senator Allison "Allie" Petrus.[4] He led the 2018 general election with 38% of the vote and won a November 20 runoff election defeating incumbent governor Kenneth Mapp with over 54% of the vote.[5]
Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands (2019-present)
Bryan was inaugurated as the 9th governor of the United States Virgin Islands by Rhys Hodge, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands on January 7, 2019.[6]
On January 19, 2019, Bryan signed the Virgin Islands Medicinal Cannabis Patient Care Act into law.[7] On January 28, 2019, Bryan introduce legislation allowing attorney general to serve six-year terms.[8]
COVID-19 pandemic
On March 13, 2020, Bryan declared a state of emergency in response to the arrival of coronavirus in the territory.[9] Effective March 25, Bryan ordered all non-essential businesses to close and residents stay at home. In April 2020, Bryan scored high with USVI voters after a poll was conducted on his handling of the pandemic.[10] On April 8, Bryan postponed in-person public school classes for remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.[11] On December 19, 2020, Bryan took the Covid-19 vaccine.[12] On June 7, 2021, Bryan announced his Vax-to-Win lottery incentive to increase vaccinations.[13]
Personal life
Bryan and his wife, Yolanda Cabodevilla, have been married since 1998. They have two daughters.[14]
References
- ^ "NGA Community Renewal Task Force Appoints Bryan as Co-Chair". St. Thomas Source. February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ "Governor Bryan". Government of the United States Virgin Islands. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- ^ "Governor Bryan". Government of the United States Virgin Islands. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- ^ "Albert Bryan And Tregenza Roach Win Democratic Primary". VI Consortium. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Albert Bryan Becomes Ninth Elected Governor Of US Virgin Islands". VI Consortium. November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
- ^ "Albert Bryan Jr. Takes Oath Of Office As 9th Elected Governor Of U.S. Virgin Islands". VI Consortium. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Governor Bryan Signs Medicinal Marijuana Bill Into Law". VI Consortium. January 19, 2019.
- ^ "Governor Bryan To Introduced Legislation Allowing Six-Year Terms For Attorneys General And Removal For Cause Only". VI Consortium. January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Gov. Bryan Declares State of Emergency, Cancels St. Patrick's Day Parade, Says Carnival 'Will Most Likely' Be Canceled in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic". VI Consortium. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "Governor Bryan Scores High Marks from Voters on Handling of Covid-19 Virus". VI Consortium. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
- ^ "Bryan Announces Cancelation of In-Person School Classes for Remainder of School Year; 'Virtual' Ceremonies Planned For 2020 Graduates; Coronavirus Cases Rise to 45". VI Consortium. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- ^ "Roughly 260 Virgin Islanders Received Vaccine Shots Last Week, Dept. of Health Says, Among Them Governor Bryan and Health Commissioner Encarnacion". VI Consortium. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Take the Covid Vaccine, Win $100,000: Bryan Announces Vaccine Lottery to Boost Numbers". VI Consortium. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "Governor Albert Bryan Jr". Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
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