U.S. Virgin Islands 2026 Economic Development Summit Agenda From Recovery to Renaissance: Catalyzing USVI’s Economic Transformation Presented by the 36th Legislature – Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture Friday, May 22, 2026 | University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall, St. Croix 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Registration, Exhibition Hall & Continental Breakfast 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks Speaker: Senator Hubert L. Frederick, Chairman, Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM Opening Plenary: A Vision for Economic Transformation Territorial leaders will outline a bold but practical roadmap for long-term economic stability, legislative leadership, and strategic investment in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Speaker: Senator Hubert L. Frederick, Chairman, Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Global Capital & the South Shore Enterprise Zone: Positioning the U.S. Virgin Islands for Strategic Investment An executive discussion on how the South Shore Enterprise Zone can attract global investment by aligning policy, infrastructure readiness, and competitive incentives. Moderator: Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Chairman, Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance Panelist: • Anise Hodge, Deputy Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority • Margarita Benjamin, Managing Director of the Economic Development Commission, Economic Development Authority • Nadine Marchena Kean, CPM, Managing Director of the Enterprise Zone Commission, VI Economic Development Authority • Kyle Flemming, Director – VI Energy • Kirk Chewning, CEO – Cane Bay Partners • David Johnson, Director of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation 10:00 AM – 10:25 AM The State of the Virgin Islands Economy – Data Briefing A fact-based overview of the Territory’s economic performance, sector trends, infrastructure capacity, and projections tied to future development initiatives. Presenter: Dr. Haldane Davies Director, Bureau of Economic Research 10:25 AM – 10:40 AM Networking Break 10:40 AM – 11:50 AM Strategic Recovery: Converting Federal Disaster Funds into Transformational Infrastructure A high-level discussion on accelerating the deployment of federal recovery funds to rebuild smarter, strengthen infrastructure, and support long-term economic competitiveness. Moderator: Senator Marise C. James, Chair, Committee on Disaster Recovery and Infrastructure Panelists: • Senator Milton E. Potter, Senate President, 36th Legislature • Dr. Louis Petersen, Commissioner, VI Department of Agriculture • Dr. Richard Warburg, Founder/Director, Impact Traits VI • Ann Hanley, Director of Public Services and Economic Revitalization and Resilience, VI Housing Finance Authority • Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Director, VI Office of Disaster Recovery • Deanna James, President, St. Croix Foundation 11:50 AM – 12:50 PM Tourism as Economic Infrastructure: Leveraging the Virgin Islands Brand in Global Capital Markets An exploration of how tourism supports investment attraction, workforce growth, and capital expansion — positioning the Virgin Islands brand as an economic asset. Moderator: Senator Milton E. Potter Senate President, 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Panelist: • Jeniffer Matarangas-King, Commissioner – VI Dept. of Tourism • Dr. Louis Petersen, Commissioner, VI Department of Agriculture • Lisa Hamilton, President – Hotel and Tourism Association • Joseph Boschulte, CEO – West Indies Company • Anise Hodge, Deputy Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority 12:50 PM – 1:40 PM Workforce as Economic Infrastructure: Building the Talent Pipeline for South Shore and Beyond A focused conversation on building and aligning talent pipelines to support South Shore development, infrastructure modernization, and emerging industries. Moderator: Michael Carty, Chairman, Workforce Development Board Panelists: • Dr. Gary Molloy, Commissioner of Dept. of Labor • Eric Sonnier, Executive Director – UVI RT Park • Dr. Suzanne Magras, Director, UVI Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning • David Johnson, Director of Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation • Richard Difede, President – Gold Coast Yachts • James Benton, President of JBenton Construction • Keith Couch, Executive Vice President of Suffolk Construction • Lisa Anders, Senior Vice President, MCN Build Caribbean • Rosalie Drago, Vice President, External Affairs & Strategic Engagement - Haugland Group 1:40 PM – 1:55 PM Networking Break 1:55 PM – 3:05 PM Modernizing Infrastructure for Economic Competitiveness & Resilience Leaders discuss the critical upgrades needed in ports, utilities, transportation, and digital infrastructure to unlock investment and ensure long-term resilience. Moderator: Adrienne Williams-Octalien Director, Office of Disaster Recovery Panelists: • Jozette Walker, Assistant Commissioner, VI DPNR • Anise Hodge, Deputy Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority • Joseph Boschulte, CEO – West Indies Company • Jennifer Nugent-Hill, Senior Director – Tropical Shipping • Stephen Adams, President/CEO - Virgin Islands Next Generation Network • Rosalie Drago, Vice President, External Affairs & Strategic Engagement - Haugland Group 3:05 PM – 4:05 PM Executive Strategy Roundtables Accelerating the South Shore Agenda A structured leadership forum where policymakers, investors, and industry experts identify priorities, align commitments, and shape actionable next steps. 4:05 PM – 5:00 PM Closing Plenary Legislative Commitments, Investor Signals & Next Steps A summary of key takeaways announced commitments, and the legislative path forward to ensure the summit translates into measurable action. Closing remarks by Honorable Hubert L. Frederick