PHILIPSBURG – After nearly two years of delays, the Council of Ministers has approved the appointment of candidates for key management positions at NV GEBE. However, the process has been marked by setbacks, including the sudden passing of one candidate and subsequent public criticism over the lack of local representatives in the board appointments.
The company’s Supervisory Board of Directors, consisting of Denicio Boasman, Dennis Richardson, Emmanuel Brooks, and Charlesworth Sydney, submitted the names of three candidates selected for the long-vacant management roles over nine months ago. These names followed a meticulous selection process that included publicizing vacancies and installing a review committee to evaluate applicants.
Despite the lengthy deliberations, the Council of Ministers only recently finalized and approved the recommendations. However, the appointment process faced another challenge with the sudden passing of Troy Washington, the selected Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Washington, who served in a temporary managerial role at NV GEBE before he was nominated CEO, passed away suddenly en route to the Netherlands a week after agreeing to be appointed.
The approved candidates were as follows:
- Troy Washington, Chief Executive Officer (deceased).
- Wilco Sienen, Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Sienen, a Dutch national, is employed at Gippsland Water in Australia. He has assumed a consultancy role at NV GEBE while awaiting his formal appointment.
- Devon Dembrook, Chief Operations Officer (COO). In February 2021, Dembrook acted as a temporary manager for NV GEBE but later declined the offer of a formal appointment as COO.
With Washington’s unexpected passing, Thomas Roggendorf has since been appointed Temporary Manager of the utility company. Additionally, NV GEBE now faces the task of identifying a new COO, as Devon Dembrook’s rejection leaves the position vacant again.
Community Disappointment Over Lack of Local Representation
The appointment of internationally based candidates such as Sienen and Roggendorf has sparked criticism from local residents. Many in the community have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a missed opportunity to empower qualified locals to lead NV GEBE. This sentiment stems from a broader concern over the limited inclusion of St. Maarten’s own talent in high-ranking roles within national institutions.
While the Supervisory Board has been commended for pressing forward to address the prolonged vacancies, NV GEBE’s management restructuring remains incomplete. The company must now restart the search for a COO who meets the position's demands, as stakeholders emphasize the importance of stability and strong leadership to guide the utility provider into the future.
Next Steps for NV GEBE
The road ahead for NV GEBE appears challenging. The Supervisory Board will need to reopen applications for the COO position and reassess its approach to leadership recruitment. Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers and the Supervisory Board face mounting pressure to ensure smoother and more transparent processes moving forward.
For now, NV GEBE’s future depends on its ability to make swift, strategic decisions to fill the gaps in its management team, while balancing community expectations and operational needs.