Governor-elect Stacey Plaskett and Lieutenant Governor-elect Milton Potter have publicly identified the leadership team overseeing their transition into Government House, naming former automotive industry executive Erwin Raphael as transition director and Dean Plaskett as chief of staff, while establishing 14 policy committees to review government operations and prepare recommendations for the administration's first 100 days.
The appointments appear on the incoming administration's newly launched official transition website, which also identifies Ashley Scotland and Cosme Christian as deputy transition directors and names individuals responsible for operations, legal affairs, communications, community outreach and inaugural planning.
The governor-elect's team has confirmed to the Consortium that the website is authorized. The site was also promoted through the team's social media channels Wednesday night, following Tuesday's general-election victory.
The transition represents the first organized effort to prepare the incoming administration to assume responsibility for the territorial government on January 4, 2027.
According to the website, the team is preparing to review government departments, establish immediate policy priorities and recruit qualified personnel from St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and the Virgin Islands diaspora.
Pictured from left to right, top to bottom, are members of the Plaskett–Potter transition team: Erwin Raphael, Dean Plaskett, Ashley Scotland, Cosme Christian, Kurrel Sheridan, Chivonne Thomas, Lorna Thomas, Shani DeWindt, Jonathan Buckney-Small, Paulette Potter, Jerry Garcia, Nellie Varlack, Shamari Haynes, Leona Smith, Renee McAlpin Petersen and Elizabeth Centeno.
Erwin Raphael named transition director
Raphael, who will direct the transition, brings experience in corporate management, operations and organizational leadership.
Born in Dominica and raised on St. Croix, Raphael built a career in the American automotive industry, including senior leadership positions with Hyundai Motor America and its Genesis luxury vehicle division.
According to a corporate biography filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Raphael served as general manager of Genesis in the United States, with responsibility for the brand's strategic direction and operations.
His previous positions included Hyundai's western regional director and general manager, overseeing more than 165 dealerships across 12 states, as well as engineering and quality leadership assignments.
Before joining Hyundai, Raphael held management and engineering positions with Chrysler, Toyota Motor Manufacturing and International Truck and Engine Company.
He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Ohio State University, studied applied mathematics and completed graduate studies in economics. He also served eight years in the United States Army.
Raphael has maintained connections to the Virgin Islands. In July 2025, he appeared before the Legislature's Committee on Rules and Judiciary as a nominee to the Board of Directors of the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park.
According to the Legislature's account of the hearing, Raphael outlined a vision for strengthening the Research and Technology Park's relationship with the university, attracting businesses that could contribute to the local economy and developing an incubator to support Virgin Islands entrepreneurs.
His corporate and economic development experience will now be brought to a transition operation tasked with evaluating government agencies and helping prepare the incoming administration for its responsibilities.
Dean Plaskett listed as chief of staff
Dean Plaskett is identified as chief of staff of the Plaskett–Potter transition team, working alongside Transition Director Raphael and other senior officials responsible for coordinating preparations for the incoming administration.
The position is part of the transition team's organizational structure, which is responsible for coordinating personnel, policy planning and other activities ahead of the January 4 inauguration. The appointment does not constitute a permanent Government House position, as those appointments will be announced separately by the incoming administration.
The website separately identifies the following officials in its senior transition structure:
Ashley Scotland and Cosme Christian are listed as transition deputy directors, while Kurrel Sheridan is named chief of operations.
Chivonne Thomas is identified as legal director, with Lorna Thomas serving as communications director and Shani DeWindt as communications co-director.
The appointments establish a leadership structure covering organizational management, legal matters, communications and preparations for transferring executive authority to the new administration.
Deputy directors and legal leadership bring government experience
Several members of the team have backgrounds in public administration, business and professional services.
Scotland is associated with Triple A Strategic Solutions LLC, a Virgin Islands-based consulting business. He previously participated in territorial workforce development discussions, including the Governor's Workforce Development Summit in 2023, where she appeared on a panel addressing community-centered economic growth.
Christian currently serves as chief of staff to Potter in the 36th Legislature, according to the Legislature's official directory.
His move into the deputy transition director role provides a connection between Potter's existing legislative office and the organizational work required to prepare the incoming executive administration.
Chivonne Thomas, the team's legal director, is an attorney and partner with Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel LLP.
Her professional background includes service as chief legal counsel at a Virgin Islands hospital, director of the Medical Malpractice and Risk Unit at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, and legal work for the Office of Collective Bargaining.
She also served as president of the Virgin Islands Bar Association in 2019 and previously led the board of Legal Services of the Virgin Islands.
The transition's legal function could become particularly important as the team evaluates agency operations, personnel matters, contractual obligations and any proposed government restructuring.
Communications team includes Shani DeWindt
The website identifies Lorna Thomas as communications director and Shani DeWindt as communications co-director.
DeWindt, a St. Thomas native, has worked in political communications and civic engagement and is known locally for her efforts to preserve and explain Virgin Islands history through digital media.
As previously reported by the Consortium, she launched a social media initiative in 2021 focused on correcting historical misinformation and making the territory's history accessible to broader audiences.
Her work has included educational presentations about the Virgin Islands' colonial history, cultural traditions and important historical figures.
Specific assignments within the communications operation have not yet been detailed.
The transition team's published roster also identifies several individuals responsible for inaugural preparations and community coordination. Jonathan Buckney-Small, Ms. Plaskett's husband, and Paulette Potter are listed as honorary inaugural chairs, with Jerry Garcia serving as inaugural chair.
Nellie Varlack will serve as inaugural director for St. Thomas, Shamari Haynes for St. Croix and Leona Smith for St. John. Renee McAlpin Petersen is identified as community outreach coordinator, while Elizabeth Centeno will serve as landing team coordinator.
These assignments form part of the broader transition and inaugural preparations ahead of the incoming administration's January 4, 2027, assumption of office.
