May 14, 2009 — The Senate Committee on Rules and Judiciary approved the nomination of Wayne L. Biggs as commissioner of the Division of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Wednesday in Frederiksted. Biggs left the Economic Development Authority to become acting commissioner when his predecessor, Kenrick Robertson, resigned in March.
(See "Robertson Resigns as Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner.")
Although senators peppered Biggs with questions about enforcement of noise laws, restrictions on street barkers in Charlotte Amalie, pulling the restaurant licenses of known brothels and myriad other issues, they expressed strong support for the nominee.
"The DLCA's gain is EDA's loss,” Sen. Neville James said. "This is a formality. You are a wonderful person and a good father and I admit right now I'm biased. … You are going to be an excellent commissioner."
Outlining the department's strengths, weaknesses and goals, Biggs said he planned to work on streamlining the department and bringing it into conformity with current national standards. And he wants to improve online services.
"Our website is ineffective and the online licensing process doesn't work well," Biggs said. To fix it, he wants to develop a new website and online licensing system.
Biggs was born and raised in Christiansted, attending St. Dunstan's Episcopal School through grade 12, graduating in 1979. After getting a bachelor's in Operations Management and Information Systems from Bradley University in Peoria, Il., he returned home to begin his professional career as an accountant in the Department of Education. A year later Biggs moved to the U.S. Small Business Administration, rising through the ranks there until 2005. While working, he pursued his education at the University of the Virgin Islands, getting his master's in business administration in 1988.
In 2005, Biggs said, SBA reorganized and offered him a position on the mainland. Instead of leaving, Biggs took a position as director of lending with the V.I. Economic Development Authority. He also chairs the St. Croix Racing Commission and is active in an array of civic organizations.
The committee voted unanimously to forward Biggs' nomination for a vote by the full Senate. Voting yea were Sens. Carlton "Ital" Dowe, Neville James, Usie Richards, Samuel Sanes, Patrick Simeon-Sprauve, Michael Thurland and Celestino White. Non-committee members Wayne James, Louis Patrick Hill and Nereida "Nellie" O'Reilly were also present.
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