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 has dedicated more than two decades to the Olympic Movement. He previously served as vice president and has been a member of the VIOC Executive Board since 2012. Prior to joining the executive board, he served as president of the Virgin Islands Wrestling Federation for eight years, where he helped expand the sport throughout the Virgin Islands.

A founding member of both the Virgin Islands Olympic Academy and the Virgin Islands National Anti-Doping Organization (VIADO), Ansen has played a key role in advancing Olympic education, anti-doping initiatives, and good governance within the Virgin Islands. He has also represented the Virgin Islands at the International Olympic Academy, participating in the Young Participants, Directors, and IOAPA Sessions over nearly two decades.

Originally from Oregon, Ansen moved to St. Thomas to attend the University of the Virgin Islands, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He later completed the Executive Master’s in Sports Organisations Management (MEMOS), through the University of Poitiers, France.

In addition to his leadership in sport governance, Ansen brings more than 20 years of experience in information technology and major event operations. He has held venue technology leadership roles at the Olympic Games, including Milano Cortina 2026, where he oversaw technology operations for the Main Press Center and International Broadcast Center, and Paris 2024. His international experience also includes leadership roles with FIFA at both the World Cup and Club World Cup tournaments, supporting technology operations, venue readiness, and team services.

Ansen has served as Chef de Mission for the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. His career reflects a commitment to strengthening sport governance, supporting athletes, and promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect both within the Virgin Islands and throughout the international Olympic community.

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.

Dr. Alice Marsh, a native of St. Croix, resides on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Education Teaching and Learning, an Educational Specialist degree in Technology Management and Administration in Education, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change with a concentration in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Marsh is a dedicated educator and servant-leader with a passion for developing the whole child. She believes that well-structured extracurricular activities, particularly athletics, play a vital role in fostering character, leadership, teamwork, and academic success. Throughout her career, she has actively supported youth development through her involvement with the Virgin Islands Volleyball Federation and school-based athletic programs, serving in leadership and volunteer capacities. Her commitment to education and student success continues to inspire her work in the community.