ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ovid Williams as the new Assistant Director, effective May 5, 2025. Assistant Director Williams brings extensive experience in emergency management, public health preparedness, and strategic planning to this critical leadership role.
As a Certified Public Manager with deep roots in the Virgin Islands community, Assistant Director Williams has established an impressive track record of leadership in crisis situations, including serving as Department of Health Planning Section Chief during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2022, where he managed multi-agency coordination efforts, developed strategic response plans, and delivered operational briefings to senior leadership.
Outside of his COVID-19 duties with the Department of Health, Assistant Director Williams oversaw three federally funded emergency preparedness and response programs. His career also includes serving as a schoolteacher, grades 4 thru grades 6, at Ulla F. Muller Elementary School on St. Thomas and service with the Virgin Islands National Guard. Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, Assistant Director Williams was activated and served for 90-days as a Point of Distribution manager on St. Thomas, responsible for providing food, water, and blue tarps to families impacted by the hurricane. Through these positions he gained valuable experience in leadership, community service, and adaptability during critical situations.
Assistant Director Williams completed extensive training courses in FEMA's Incident Command System (ICS) and built strong relationships here in the Territory, with our federal partners, including FEMA, HHS, CDC, and ASPR.
"As VITEMA’s Assistant Director, my vision is to continue to strengthen the territory’s readiness through meaningful exercises, strategic planning, and collaborative outreach with our staff and agency stakeholders. Assistant Director Williams added, “I want to continue improving VITEMA’s efforts in developing partnerships with our local businesses, faith-based groups, and educational leaders. I am committed to ensuring VITEMA is both proactive and resilient, while maintaining our mission to protect the lives and preserve property for all Virgin Islanders and visitors."
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen welcomed Assistant Director Williams to the leadership team, stating, “Ovid has the experience grained not only living through a hurricane as a young boy on St. Thomas, but serving the community following hurricane Irma while in a National Guard Uniform, and finally, being part of the lead agency, Department of Health, in planning the response efforts, with all its unknowns, during the COVID-19 pandemic here in the Territory. I am very pleased he has joined our team "
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