Board of Directors

Jenifer C. O’Neal

Chairperson

Ms. Jenifer C. O’Neal is the Director of the Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget since January 2019 and a financial management executive with over 30 years of expertise in empowering strong financial performance and profitable business growth in both the private and public sectors. Ms. O’Neal’s professional expertise has spanned various industries and includes all aspects of finance and accounting, budgeting for results, organizational change, and process improvement. As a professional in government service, Ms. O’Neal has also had the opportunity to previously serve the Government of the US Virgin Islands in the Office of Management and Budget as Associate Director of Policy Management, and as Deputy Director of Budget and Operations; and in the Department of Human Services as Chief Financial Officer.

Ms. O’Neal has also served as Senior Policy Analyst with the Government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and has traveled extensively as a representative for both Governments, regionally and internationally. In academia, Ms. O’Neal has served as an instructor for the Virgin Islands Government Budget Process course in the Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program at the University of the Virgin Islands; and as an Adjunct Professor for H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in the BVI. To complement Ms. O’Neal’s professional experience, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Baltimore and an MBA with a concentration in Finance and International Business from the collaboration of Towson University and the University of Baltimore. Ms. O’Neal is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt professional, adept in process improvement and change management.

Carmen Wesselhoft-Hendrington

Board Member

Carmen Wesselhoft-Hendrington has served as the St. John Board representative of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority since July 2006. She graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in 1985 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. She is the coordinator of the Cooperative Extension Service’s 4H Youth Development Program at the University of the Virgin Islands. Mrs. Wesselhoft-Hendrington was elected to serve as to serve as Senator-at-Large in the 27th Legislature. In June of 2008, the Alumni Award of Excellence was bestowed on her by the St. Thomas-St. John Chapter of the UVI Alumni Association.

Jean-Pierre L. Oriol

Board Member

Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, a life-long resident of the Virgin Islands and graduate of All Saints Cathedral School, has been with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources since June 2000. Bringing a passion for the environment and love of the territory, Oriol was able to utilize his degree in biology from Brandeis University and work experience in his family’s small business in his first role in the Division of Coastal Zone Management as an Environmental Assessor.

In the better part of two decades with CZM, Oriol has held numerous titles and responsibilities to include: Environmental Assessor, Federal Consistency Coordinator, Special Projects Coordinator, Assistant Director, and was named the division Director in February 2011, a post which he has held thru 2018.

Highly respected by federal partners such as NOAA, the Department of Interior, the EPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers, Oriol is relied upon to provide expertise from the territory on many coastal issues, especially those related to permitting, planning, adaptation and coral reef management.

Having held the Acting Commissioner title more than once, Oriol is well prepared to address the complex issues of the entire Department. His approachable style and leadership philosophy is one that supports the balance between the economic needs of the territory and the protection of the territory’s precious natural and cultural resources.

Jean-Pierre, more commonly known as “JP”, lives on St. Thomas with his wife Shannon and their two sons Jean-René (12) and Harrison (8). Together the Oriol family is very involved in the boys’ school and athletic activities. They enjoy traveling and exploring the many beaches of the Virgin Islands.

Maureen Burke-Ventura

Board Member

Maureen Burke Ventura is currently the Assistant Vice President and Manager of Facilities and Interior services at Banco Popular, VI Region. Prior to joining Banco Popular in 2011, Ms. Burke worked at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources for approximately fifteen years in various positions; such as Plan Reviewer II, Chief Building Inspector, Director and Territorial Director of Permits. One of her most memorable achievements is being a part of the team along with FEMA that created the first “Stronger Home Guide” after Hurricane Hugo which resulted in less roofs being impacted in hurricanes that followed.

At Innovative Communication Corp. as the Director of Facilities Management she over saw the renovation of Bjerget House and the construction of the Innovative Business Center. She spent six years with Innovative now known as VIYA.

In 2021, Ms. Burke was appointed to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority Board by Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. She is a past president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mu Gamma Omega Chapter and a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church Restoration Committee.

A graduate of Howard University, School of Architecture and Planning, (five -year program) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. As one of the top twenty-five out of two hundred plus students in the freshman class, she was selected for an architectural study tour in Europe. The students traveled to Italy, France, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Finland and Norway. She interned at Cape Architects in Christiansted and has been licensed since 1990 and a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1994.

Ms. Burke was born on the island of St. Croix and is proud of her Virgin Islands heritage. Her parents, Calvin and Gwendolyn Burke instilled disciple, encouraged the pursuit of an education, and provided an example of lasting traditions. She has one son, Angel “AJ” Ventura, lll.