The V.I. Water and Power Authority has appointed Lemuel Lavinier as chief operating officer of electric and Lorraine Kelly as chief financial officer. The appointments were approved during a special Governing Board meeting on December 6.
Lemuel Lavinier steps into the role of COO of electric with over 22 years of experience in power system operations, construction, and sustainable energy management, according to WAPA. He previously served as the superintendent of electric power for the city of Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities in South Carolina. During his tenure, Lavinier introduced innovative solutions for substation maintenance and renewable energy systems. In addition to his professional achievements, Lavinier is a board member of Dominica Electricity Services Limited (DOMLEC), according to WAPA.
Lorraine Kelly, who has served as Interim CFO since December 2023, now assumes the permanent CFO position. With decades of experience in financial leadership across utilities, logistics, and Fortune 500 companies, Kelly has proven expertise in financial turnaround, strategic planning, and risk management, WAPA said. During her interim role, she played a key part in improving WAPA’s financial transparency and stability.
WAPA’s Executive Director and CEO, Karl Knight, expressed confidence in the appointments. “These two leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared dedication to operational and financial excellence. They will serve critical roles on WAPA’s leadership team. We are confident that their expertise will accelerate the Authority’s goals to enhance service delivery and achieve long-term sustainability,” Knight stated.
