The V.I. Port Authority governing board swiftly named Ava Penn, the authority’s director of financial affairs, as its interim executive director during an emergency meeting Friday.
Penn’s appointment came one week after outgoing Director Carlton Dowe resigned and was arrested on federal charges of bank fraud, making false statements on a loan application and aggravated identity theft. A Port Authority spokesperson told the Source Friday that Dowe was on leave and “receives his compensation pending the effective date of his retirement” on April 10.
On Friday, VIPA board chair Willard John called for a vote to approve an interim director “so that there is continuity in our leadership because of the major issues that we are facing now.” Board member Kevin Rodriguez nominated Penn “based on the discussion with board members,” though it’s not clear when that discussion happened.
John, Rodriguez, Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel, Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King, Attorney General Gordon Rhea and Leona Smith approved Penn’s appointment. Board member Celestino White Sr. abstained.
Toward the end of Friday’s meeting, Penn thanked the board for their vote of confidence and said she would continue to work until they appointed a permanent executive director.
Dowe was released from custody last week after appearing before a federal judge on St. Thomas. He was charged with four counts of bank fraud, four counts of making false statements on a loan application and aggravated identity theft. He was indicted in the district of Puerto Rico.
