WAPA's Richmond power plant. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has submitted the nomination of Xavier A. Acevedo to serve as a member of the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s Governing Board, representing the District of St. Croix. The nomination was formally sent today to Senate President Milton Potter and awaits consideration and confirmation by the 36th Legislature.
The appointment, if confirmed, would fill the current vacancy on the board reserved for a St. Croix representative. Mr. Acevedo qualifies for the role as a non-government member and brings to the table a combined wealth of experience in engineering, utility operations, and project oversight.
A retired employee of WAPA, Mr. Acevedo spent over two decades working directly within the authority’s engineering division. Beyond his time at WAPA, he has amassed more than 25 years of additional experience spanning government utility operations, regulatory oversight, and engineering consultation in the private sector.
In his nomination letter, Governor Bryan emphasized Mr. Acevedo’s in-depth familiarity with the authority’s inner workings and long-standing challenges. “As a retired WAPA employee, he has firsthand knowledge of the authority’s operations, challenges, and opportunities,” the governor wrote. “Additionally, he brings 25 years of experience in government utility operations, oversight, and private drafting and engineering consultation. He is committed to ensuring sustainable development, financial oversight, and community engagement to enhance utility services and infrastructure.”
The governor also expressed confidence in Mr. Acevedo’s capacity to strengthen the board’s technical and operational expertise. The nomination comes at a time when WAPA is pressing forward with efforts aimed at improving energy reliability, financial accountability, and long-term infrastructure stability across the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Mr. Acevedo’s appointment is expected to play a key role in supporting ongoing initiatives, including projects focused on renewable energy integration and the modernization of utility services. His long-standing career in public service and technical consultation is anticipated to enhance the board’s decision-making capacity as it navigates the complex challenges of utility reform in the territory.
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