2024 – 2028 Executive Board

John Abramson, Jr., has had several positions in the Executive, Legislative branches of the Government of the Virgin Islands. Presently, Supervisor of Elections. Formerly Territorial Energy Director, and Chief of Staff for Senators Alicia Torres-James, Adelbert M. Bryan and Judy M. Gomez. Consultant to the Office of Senator Judy M. Gomez. Elected to serve on the Tenth (10th) Board of Education. As well as significant experience in the private sector with the Private Industry Council, Energy Resources International, Inc. Virgin Islands Tea Company, Inc. In addition to thirty years of public/private service I have been active in numerous community organization such as: The Resource Conservation and Development Council, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Virgin Islands Tourism Awareness Link, Virgin Islands Basketball Federation, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., National Highway Safety Advisory Board, the National Association of Parliamentarians, and the National Association of Public Administrators. Member Board of Director Girl Scout Council Virgin Islands. Part-time Professor of Economic and Social Science at the University of the Virgin Islands. Member of the Government Health Insurance Board of Directors, Member of Rotary West of St. Croix. President of Frederiksted Economic Development Association. Chef de Mission for the CAC Games 2014. PanAm Games 2015 and Olympic Games 2016.

Ansen Sligar, served as the President of the Virgin Islands Wrestling Federation for 8 years before being elected to the VIOC Executive body in 2012. Ansen is a founding member of the Virgin Islands Olympic Academy and the Virgin Islands National Anti-Doping Organization. He is actively involved with the International Olympic Academy having attended the Young Participants Session, IOAPA Sessions and Director’s Sessions on Olympic education. Having lived in the Virgin Islands for 25+ years. He moved to St. Thomas from Oregon to attend the University of the Virgin Islands where he graduated with a BA in Business Administration. He also holds an Executive Masters in Olympic Sports Organization Management from the University of Poitiers, France. Past Virgin Islands Olympic Committee responsibilities include Chef de Mission for; 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, 2014 Youth Olympic Games, 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Brigitte Berry was born and raised on St. Thomas before attending university on both the East and West coasts of the United States. Moving back at home after graduating from the University of Washington with a BA in psych, she worked for the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee as the administrator for 11 years, receiving her Masters in Sports Development through the Université Catholique de Louvain MEMOS Program during that time. Now, she works for the Territorial Parks and Protected Areas Division of DPNR, sits on the Winter Sports Federation board, helps organize TEDxSTT and other community events, travels and gets in the ocean to surf, swim or dive as much as possible.

One of two newcomers to the VIOC Executive Board is life-long athlete and public servant, Athneil “Bobby” Thomas who will serve as Vice President for the St. Thomas-St. John District.

Thomas’ experiences includes participating, volunteering and leading entities involved with youth baseball and softball for the past 40-plus years. Through baseball, Thomas earned an NCAA Division I scholarship from Florida A&M University and represented the Virgin Islands on its national baseball team in 1998 at the Central American and Caribbean games in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

A perennial community servant, Thomas is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Thomas also currently holds the position of President of the St. Thomas Umpires Association and served as Vice President of the Virgin Islands Softball Federation, for 5 years. He also served as a Virgin Islands Senator in the 33rd Legislature and he is currently Deputy Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

Desiree Miranda, A fourth generation Virgin Islander who has lived her entire life within the Virgin Islands. I have a bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a master’s in History, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration, Management and Curriculum Development. I have played sports playing softball, baseball, basketball, and volleyball all my life starting from the tender age of nine. I’m one of four women on St. Croix who have been a member of the Virgin Islands Softball and Volleyball Federations. I have over thirty years of experience working as Head Coach at various schools (from elementary to high school) on St. Croix, training youths in volleyball, softball, and basketball teams to success. For the past 16 years, I have been Vice President of the Virgin Islands Volleyball Federation and participated in the capacity of an executive board member, coach, delegate, and player.

Natalia Kuipers, OLY, born and raised in St. Croix, USVI, began her athletic career as a swimmer with the St. Croix Dolphins. She went on to represent the Virgin Islands at numerous international competitions, including the Youth Olympic Games, CAC Games, FINA World Championships, Pan American Games, and the Olympic Games, where she competed in the 400 freestyle at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Natalia is also the current Virgin Islands record holder in the 400 freestyle, among other events.

Natalia was a two-year team captain of the Bryant University Women’s Swimming and Diving team, a Division 1 program, and is a three-time conference medalist. She graduated magna cum laude from Bryant University in 2024 with a degree in Data Science.

She now works as a data scientist at Bloom Analytics in St. Croix. In addition to her professional career, Natalia serves as the Athlete Representative to the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and is a member of the Virgin Islands Athletes’ Commission, where she is dedicated to supporting the development of athletes in the territory.

John has graduate degrees in Psychology, Communications Engineering, Business Administration, and a Doctor of Metaphysics (Honorus Causa), he is ordained in the Universal Life Church Ministries. He is the FIFA MembermAssociation’s (MA) Compliance Officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation. He plays O-75 soccer for the Georgia United Invitational team (Keeper). He the Sports Psychologist for the Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation where he competes on the National Team in Masters Competition. He has medaled in the Puerto Rico Regional meet, the New York Empire Senior Games, The Connecticut Nutmeg Games, the Massachusetts Senior Games and the USTFA New York Regionals in Shot Put, Discus, and Hammer Throw.