Virgin Islands Humanities Council Offers Announces New Staff and Board Members
Date: September 24, 2003 | Press Release: #03-003
Earlier this month, the Virgin Islands Humanities Council concluded its search for an executive director when Mabel J. Maduro assumed the position. Ms. Maduro brings a wealth of experience about managing non-profit organizations and developing and directing territory-wide program initiatives. Maduro’s experience includes fifteen years as Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Tourism Awareness and Advancement Link (VITAAL) Inc. and former Project Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Workforce and Economic Development Institute, "I look forward to engaging the members of our community in the humanities and increasing their awareness about an area that is very much embedded in our daily lives" Maduro explained.
She leads a team of three with two new hires. Rosa Thomas Mannix is the new Program Officer, former commercial loan officer at FirstBank Virgin Islands. In addition, Rochelle Davis has joined the staff as Office Assistant since June. Together with Shellie Tobias, who has been with the Council for over seven years, this new team brings years of administrative, fiscal and fundraising experience.
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is also pleased to announce the addition of two new board members, Oswin Sewer of St. John and David Edgecombe of St. Thomas. Mr. Oswin Sewer is a retired educator. He taught in the Virgin Islands public school system for thirty years. His community involvement includes service as past president of the St. John AARP Chapter, present secretary of the Nazareth Lutheran Church Council and vice-chair of the Safety Zone Board of Directors in addition to memberships in the Love City Pan Dragon Parent Group and the St. John Oral History Association. He writes a monthly column in the St. John Times. Mr. Sewer added, "I am happy to be a part of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council because I believe that it is our responsibility to continuously seek-out, preserve, and disseminate the experiences of those that have been here before us so that we can better understand and appreciate our being here."
Mr. Edgecombe has been the director of Reichhold Center for the Arts for over ten years Under his tenure the Center has initiated several dynamic programs: Star Fest, Repertory Theatre Company, Digital Media Institute and the Youth Movie Making Workshop. He is also a distinguished playwright with ten plays to his credit most notable amoung them are "Smile, Natives, Smile," "Heaven," and "Coming Home to Roost." The rich mix of community service and creativity evident in the backgrounds of these two new trustees will complement the backgrounds of the other board members.