Aug. 14, 2008 — The Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee approved three of Gov. John deJongh Jr.'s nominees to the V.I. Board of Vocational Education and one to the V.I. Public Television System board of directors Thursday during a hearing in Frederiksted.
The four nominations now move on to the full Senate for a vote.
Richard A. Difede, Quincy G. Lewis and Daniel P. McIntosh were nominated to the Vocational Education Board.
Difede, a 32-year resident of St. Croix, is the founder and president of Gold Coast Yachts, a builder of custom yachts and day charter vessels. He has been involved with vocational and technical training on St. Croix at least since 1986, when he partnered with the Department of Education's Vocational and Technical Education division to initiate an apprenticeship training program at St. Croix Central High.
Lewis is the supervisor of data-center operations at the Hovensa refinery and has an extensive background in information technology.
McIntosh is currently the industrial craft training manager for Pinnacle Services. Beginning his career as a U.S. Navy jet engine mechanic, he has owned a welding and fabrication company and has been involved in setting up and running welding and other industrial-training programs since 1991.
Moore, nominee for the Public Television Board of Directors, served as a production manager for WSVI-TV8 on St. Croix for a number of years in the 1980s and '90s, then held the same position at ICC TV2 on St. Croix. After that, he was a media researcher for the V.I. Legislature. He is currently a student at American International University, a self-employed farmer and a candidate running for the V.I. Legislature.
Voting for Difede were Sens. James Weber III, Carmen Wesselhoft, Celestino White and Alvin Williams. Sen. Carlton "Ital" Dowe voted nay, citing Difede's lack of written testimony. Absent were Sens. Shawn-Michael Malone and Usie Richards.
Weber was present for some votes and absent for some.
McIntosh and Lewis were approved with Weber, Wesselhoft, White, Williams and Dowe voting yes and Malone and Richards absent.
Moore was approved with Wesselhoft, White, Williams and Dowe voting yes and Malone, Richards and Weber absent.
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