Public Officers Recognised for Service Excellence at
Thirty-four public officers were honoured at the Public Service Star Membership Club Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 for commendations received through the Rate Us platform for service between 1 July 2025 and 31 March 2026. The Government of the Virgin Islands reiterated its commitment to institutionalising service excellence and presented special awards to Damien Williams and Shelane Penn, with Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr. praising frontline staff for their role in national development. This update incorporates fuller quotes from officials and additional details provided by the Government of the Virgin Islands, including avenues for media enquiries and public access to government services.
Thirty-four public officers were recognised for their commitment to professional, courteous and high-quality service during the Public Service Star Membership Club Pinning Ceremony held on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, the Government of the Virgin Islands said. Honours were awarded to staff who received commendations through the Government’s Rate Us platform for service delivered between 1 July 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Wheatley congratulated the honourees and commended public officers for their critical role in national development. "Today, we pause to celebrate excellence in service, excellence in professionalism, and excellence in the quiet, steady commitment that keeps our Virgin Islands moving forward every single day," Premier Wheatley said, adding that "the Public Service Star Membership Programme shines a well-deserved light on public officers who consistently go above and beyond," according to a Government statement.
Archer Jr. said the Star Membership Club continues to support the Government’s wider vision of building a world-class Public Service. "The journey toward becoming a world-class Public Service is not only measured by policies, by systems, or by transformation initiatives. It is measured by the people who bring those systems to life every day," Mr.
Archer said, noting the visible nature of excellence in how staff respond, serve and solve problems for the public. Director of Customer Service Kedimone Rubaine described the ceremony as part of a deliberate and broader effort to make service excellence a consistent and measurable standard across the Virgin Islands Public Service. "It reflects a shift from viewing good service as desirable, to establishing it as a defined and measurable standard," Ms.
Rubaine told attendees, according to the Government release. The 2026 Stephanie Benn Award for Customer Service Excellence 2025 was presented to Damien Williams, Senior Learning & Development Manager of VIPSLI. The award honours the late Stephanie Benn and recognises exceptional leadership and dedication to raising customer service standards.
The first Deputy Governor’s Award for Customer Care Excellence 2025 was presented to Shelane Penn of the Customer Service Care Centre in recognition of outstanding frontline performance in a high-volume service environment. Membership pin levels reflected tiers of recognition: 13 officers received Bronze Star Membership pins, 11 received Silver, five attained Gold, and five achieved Elite Membership.
The honourees were selected on the basis of commendations submitted via the Rate Us platform from 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026. The full list of officers recognised at the ceremony is: Tyara Allick; Tashema Barnes; Sophia Cupid-Berkeley; Sherkhoya Forbes; Mervin Hastings; Sheema Hodge-Radway; Chivoy Martin; Kamila Penn; Linette Rabsatt; Gregory Skelton; Joann Stoutt; Portia Stoutt; Tu-Neisha Weekes-Ebanks; Nadia Demming-Hodge; Rena George; Michelle Harrigan; Sheena Huggins; Rhia Mitcham; Khrystal Padmore; Shaniqua Rhymer; Idrecia Richards; Kedimone Rubaine; Yvonette Stevens; Jennelle Thompson; Shannel Frett; Tangel Marquis; Felina Moss; Marylene Tyson; Damien Williams; Leonardo Callwood; Dwayne Cline; Valerie Negron; Latoya Todman; Sherryann Varlack.
The Government reiterated its commitment to acknowledging public officers and thanked them for their continued professionalism and service, and encouraged residents to continue using the Rate Us platform to recognise good service and help improve public service delivery. For media enquiries and information on government services, the Government's release provided contact channels and a virtual booking system for further assistance.
Primary source: BVI Government