US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association
The Governing Board of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority announces the appointment of Wayne L. Biggs, Jr., as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA). As CEO of this semi-autonomous government instrumentality in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mr. Biggs will be responsible for leading the USVIEDA team in aiding the V.I. Government in growing the USVI economy through the creation of opportunities for business investment and job creation.
Mr. Biggs will also lead in the implementation of policies by the USVIEDA Governing Board; statutory mandates; and USVIEDA initiatives, including – but not limited to – Vision 2040, the strategic vision and blueprint for economic development in the Territory. Mr. Biggs, who recently served as Interim CEO of the USVIEDA for the past three months, begins his official role as CEO effective immediately.
“It is a pleasure to have Mr. Biggs on board as the next CEO of the USVIEDA. With his extensive background in business and economic development, Mr. Biggs also has an unwavering passion for seeking economic growth opportunities for the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Kevin Rodriquez, USVIEDA Board Chairman. “I am confident that under Mr. Biggs’ leadership – and with the support of the USVIEDA Board and team – the USVIEDA will continue to seek the best investment opportunities that can help drive economic growth for the USVI during this time,” added Chairman Rodriquez.
Prior to his role as Interim CEO, Mr. Biggs – born and reared on St. Croix, USVI – amassed experience in business and economic development in his career working in these areas spanning over a 30-year period.
For over 20 years, he worked with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in many positions of business and economic development, and on special assignments to lead SBA disaster teams dispatched to provide assistance to severely damaged areas throughout the nation and the Territories.
When the U.S. SBA reorganized nationally, Mr. Biggs joined the USVIEDA in March 2005 to serve as its Director of Lending. Under the USVIEDA, he was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Government Development Bank of the Virgin Islands (GDB) and the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Agency (SBDA). During this tenure at USVIEDA, Mr. Biggs also assisted with the implementation and management of the Enterprise Zone Commission Program (EZC) while serving in a dual role as the USVIEDA’s Director of Enterprise Zone and the Director of Lending from 2005 through 2007.
In addition to bringing a wealth of knowledge in economic development to the CEO position, Mr. Biggs gained operational and technical experience during his tenure as Assistant CEO and Chief Operating Officer of the USVIEDA which will complement his new leadership role to enhance the comprehensive and efficient operations of the USVIEDA.
I am truly honored and humbled to be appointed as CEO of the USVIEDA,” said Mr. Biggs. “Having served at the Authority in numerous capacities alongside a tremendously talented and diligent team, it is certainly a privilege to take the helm of this organization. My team and I look forward to continuing to work with our economic development partners and the USVIEDA Board to serve the USVI community, especially during this unprecedented time in our history,” added Mr. Biggs.
Mr. Biggs also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Operation Management/Information Systems from Bradley University, Peoria, IL; and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, USVI. He also has several certifications in business development and economic development-related fields.
About the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority:
The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA) is a semi-autonomous governmental instrumentality. It promotes economic growth, job creation, and wealth generation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The USVIEDA assumes, integrates and unifies the functions of these four entities: Economic Development Commission, Virgin Islands Economic Development Park Corporation, Economic Development Bank and the Enterprise Zone Commission. The USVIEDA accomplishes its mission by attracting investors to the Territory to establish or relocate their business in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It also provides financial assistance for new and existing small to medium-sized businesses in the Territory and assists 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. Learn more about the USVIEDA at www.usvieda.org or send an email to info@usvieda.org.
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