Road Town, Tortola - Ms. Aretha Thomas of the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) has been selected as the Government’s Employee of the Year for 2009.
Ms. Thomas, who was chosen from among four groups of past Employees of the Quarter, was honoured at a luncheon ceremony on March 19 held at Maria’s by the Sea Hotel. Ms. Thomas has 19 years of dedicated service to the Virgin Islands Public Service and is the Acting Technology Support Service Officer in DoIT and is regarded as an exemplary asset to the department.
Her duties are varied and include monitoring and maintaining computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems. Ms. Thomas served as the Computer Training Coordinator from 2002-2009 and provided excellent coaching and guidance to public servants while learning new programmes.
In her remarks, Ms. Thomas said, “I believe the public service is among the most noble and important vocations. I also share the commitment to the ideal of working towards the creation of a world class public service, here in the Virgin Islands. As professionals, a strong commitment to personal integrity, ethics and values, respectfulness, continual learning and innovation are all essential when serving the Government and public. We must therefore be dedicated to excellence.”
Ms. Thomas added, “All of us, no matter whom, want to be recognised for something; something special that contributes to creating and reflecting who we are. All else aside, the purpose of recognition is to give honest credit where credit is due. I am not oblivious to the fact that there are many other hard working public servants who are equally deserving of this award, however, I encourage them to continue their dedicated service as it is only a matter of time before they too will be duly recognised.”
Ms. Thomas commended the Department of Human Resources and the Employee of the Quarter and Year Steering Committee for the role they have played in publicly honouring specific employees for their outstanding service.
Among well wishers and public servants from all levels were His Excellency the Governor David Pearey, Deputy Governor Mrs. V. Inez Archibald, members of the Public Service Commission, Director of Human Resources Mr. David Archer and Keynote Speaker Ms. Noni Georges.
The luncheon on Friday also honoured previous Employees of the Quarter for 2009 and the outgoing Employee of the Year for 2008, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe of the Ministry of Health and Social Development. The Ministry of Health and Social Development received the Top Ministry Participation Award. Mr. Archer received a special award for his continuous support of the recognition programme and for being a driving force behind the initiative.
The Employee of the Year Programme was implemented to recognise the top employee from those employees recognised during the four quarters for exemplary performance. The first employee of the year ceremony was held in 2004.
British Virgin Islands News