Eric Sonnier, Executive Director

Prior to joining the RTPark, Eric was Co-Founder and CEO of Lawgix, an enterprise software company that helps financial institutions scale legal models with real-time vendor collaboration and centralized compliance. Eric was also Co-founder of venture capital backed, Y Combinator (S14) company, Local Lift, which specialized in alternative lending for small businesses through an online marketplace platform. Prior to entering the world of entrepreneurship, Eric worked as a Strategy & Operations Consultant for Deloitte, working on a variety of business process and strategy projects for Fortune 500 companies. 

Eric has a BBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin and an MBA from Harvard Business School.  Eric currently resides in St. Croix with his wife and two daughters and a son.

Aminah Saleem, Chief-of-Staff

Aminah comes to the RTPark with a wealth of knowledge in management and business. She has over thirty-nine years of experience in Government, non-profits, and as a business owner in the Virgin Islands. In 2016 Aminah left her position as the of Deputy Director at the Virgin Islands Energy Office and started her own business which specializes in connecting clients with the services needed, along with coordination and management of small projects.   In her position as Chief of Staff she focusses on connecting the dots, solving the problems, and making those critical connections necessary to keep the RTPark moving forward.

St. Croix has been home for Aminah for 39 years, where she raised with her late husband four sons.  Although she was born in New Jersey; she is a 7th generation Virgin Islander coming from a large family on St. Croix.  Aminah is dedicated to making this community better and sits on the board of three prominent non-profits in St. Croix.  Aminah takes her work at the RTPark seriously and feels that by building strong economic development we will improve many of the social issues facing the VI.

John Harrison, Director of Finance and Administration

John joins the RTPark as Director of Finance and Administration where he will oversee all aspects of the finances including the development and management of budgets, preparation of financial statements and reporting to the RTPark Board of Directors and governmental agencies. John brings 30+ years of accounting, auditing and tax experience as a CPA doing work for various governmental agencies as well as multimillion dollar companies, small business and start up companies.

John holds a BS in Business with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Baltimore.

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his family – his wife, three daughters and the oldest two daughters spouses and six grandchildren. All thirteen share a love of the outdoors and especially enjoy the water and beach.

Siobhan Cioppa, Associate Director of Business Development Operations

Since 2015, Siobhan has worked with the RTPark in numerous capacities in business development, finance, administration, and compliance. As Associate Director of Business Development, she leads the Business Development team in developing contracts and negotiating terms with potential clients, implementing new systems and tools to track engagement with prospective clients, conducting research on industry trends, and coordinating client engagement activities to acquire and retain clients effectively.

Siobhan graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands and is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at Vermont Law School.

Sydney Paul, Associate Director of Marketing and Communication

Sydney Paul, a Virgins Islands marketing strategist and champion of Caribbean storytelling, currently holds the position of Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at UVI Research and Technology. In this role, she leads strategic marketing efforts, utilizing her expertise to propel business attraction, entrepreneurship, and workforce development programming among other economic and community development initiatives. A native of St. Croix, Sydney is deeply rooted in her community and is the founder of Solimar Media Productions, a marketing consulting firm committed to exploring unique storytelling opportunities in the territory as well as the greater Caribbean by uplifting unheard voices from the region.

With over 10 years in the industry and a diverse background as a digital media editor, freelance journalist, communications director, documentary producer, and multimedia broadcaster, Sydney brings a wealth of experience to her roles. A proud alumna of the University of Chicago, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park, and The Documentary Center at the George Washington University, Sydney is dedicated to using her voice and expertise to foster a progressive community in the US Virgin Islands by building platforms for diverse voices to be heard. She passionately supports and champions innovation in the region, while upholding her commitment to preserving the Virgin Islands' history and culture through multimedia lenses.

 Naisha R. Monelle-Joseph, Operations and Compliance Manager 

Naisha supports and helps execute all aspects of labor management, productivity, quality control, safety measures and management of core administrative functions of the RTPark. She also ensures the smooth running of RTP’s day-to-day functions, including providing the administrative support necessary to advance the organization’s mission. Naisha is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also has a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Colorado Technical University. Due to Naisha’s organizational skills, attention to detail, people skills and ability to adapt to everchanging situations the RTPark can save time and through teamwork continue to excel. 

Naisha is a mother of three who enjoys reading & listening to books, watching movies, and listening to music. 

Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., Entrepreneurship Associate

Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. plays a leading role in the day-to-day management of many of the RTPark’s newly launched programs, with the goal of strengthening the brand of the RTPark. 

Prior to joining the RTPark, Alfonso consulted in healthcare operations as a Lean Six Sigma practitioner for about 10 years at International Capital and Management Company (ICMC).  In his time at ICMC, he delivered an array of work for healthcare clients, which include facilitating rapid improvement events, delivering lean six sigma workforce training, implementing lean daily management systems, and new business development.  He also designed an internal talent development program for local USVI college graduate talent at ICMC.  Alfonso is a native of St. Croix, USVI and graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics.

Matt Beadle, Associate Director of Strategic Planning and Business Attraction

Matt leads the RTPark’s business attraction efforts, working to bring new tech companies to the USVI that align with the RTPark’s efforts to diversify and strengthen the local economy. He also works on the RTPark’s strategic placemaking initiatives and manages the Summer Fellows program.

Matt started at the RTPark as a Summer Business Development Fellow in 2019, working on a variety of projects related to business attraction, entrepreneurship, and community development. He came back to the RTPark in a full-time capacity in 2021. Prior to grad school, Matt worked for over 10 years in healthcare IT with Ascension Health.

Matt has a BS in Economics from Eastern Michigan University and a MPP from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. He is focused on using economic development to combat inequality by finding ways to ensure that the benefits of growth go to the community, not just the wealthy.

Matt was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. He enjoys history and science fiction, and he spends his free time reading, playing video games, or watching sports.

Shanice Wilson, Executive Assistant

Shanice Wilson is a dedicated and charismatic professional who currently serves as an Executive Assistant at UVI Research and Technology Park, a role she has held since 2021. Born in St. Croix, USVI, Shanice was raised in Detroit, MI, before returning to St. Croix in 2013 to further her education and reconnect with her roots.  

Shanice's career began in 2016 in the banking sector at Banco Popular, where she honed the skills and work ethics necessary for a successful career in Business. She is a proud graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit and earned her Bachelor’s degree in business administration: management from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2022. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Shanice is deeply committed to serving her community. She is passionate about applying the skills she has acquired throughout her life to help enrich and expand opportunities for success in the Virgin Islands. A lover of both fine and performing arts, Shanice is also a fashion enthusiast who enjoys staying active and cherishes time spent with family and friends. 

Shanya Hanley, VISTA + Coordinator

Born and raised on the island of St. Croix, Shanya Hanley has always been passionate about learning and community development. Her commitment to making a positive impact on her home island guided her academic and professional journey.

Shanya earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2022. Following her graduation, she chose to channel her skills and knowledge into fostering innovation and education within the Virgin Islands. Currently, Shanya serves as the Program Coordinator for the Virgin Islands STEM Talent Archive Program at the UVI Research and Technology Park. Through her work at the RTPark, she hopes to inspire and uplift her community and leave a legacy of education, innovation, and empowerment in the Virgin Islands and beyond.

Ayshell H. Grant, Marketing Operations Associate

Ayshell H. Grant, a Marketing Operations Associate at UVI Research and Technology Park in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, boasts extensive experience in crafting and executing high-impact marketing campaigns. In her current role, Ayshell collaborates closely with the marketing department and other departments within the RTPark to plan, execute, and optimize marketing campaigns. Leveraging advanced marketing automation tools, she ensures seamless brand consistency across all channels.

Prior to her current position, Ayshell served as a Marketing Analyst Specialist at Western Union, where she oversaw marketing campaigns across diverse markets including Panama, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Her initiatives focused on engaging and attracting both existing and new customers to Western Union's digital money transfer platforms.

Before joining UVI, Ayshell honed her skills at Starcom Mediavest Group in Costa Rica, where she worked with industry leaders such as VISA and McDonald's as a Sr. Media Planner. With a keen eye for data analysis, adept project coordination skills, and a comprehensive skillset in marketing management, competitive analysis, and project planning, Ayshell is equipped to drive success in her current role.

Torhera Durand, Sustainable Development Associate

Torhera Durand, a proud Virgin Islander and distinguished graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands, stands as a key figure in the Research and Technology Park team. As the RTPark's Sustainable Development Associate, Torhera plays a vital role in attracting and assisting businesses to integrate seamlessly into the unique climate of the US Virgin Islands. A chemical biologist by trade, Torhera works closely with companies in the renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and marine industries. She facilitates essential connections between our clients, the University of the Virgin Islands, and local agencies, effectively communicating their research and scientific projects and supporting them with federal funding opportunities. As a politically astute strategist and Vice President of the Governor's Millennial Council, Torhera's commitment to community advocacy is evident. Her extensive network and deep understanding of the local landscape spans multiple agencies, enabling her to bridge the gap between the public and private sector and drive significant impacts within the territory. Torhera Durand's multifaceted role and deep-rooted connections within the Virgin Islands community make her an invaluable asset to current and potential RTPark clients, as well as to the broader field of economic development in the region.

Kelly Pugh, Client Relations Specialists

Kelly Pugh is a Client Relations Specialist at the UVI Research & Technology Park (RTPark), where she excels in nurturing client relationships and delivering exceptional service. With a passion for innovation and a keen understanding of client needs, Kelly plays a pivotal role in managing client interactions, coordinating services, crafting tailored client experiences, and connecting RTPark clients with the community.

Her extensive experience spans client management across diverse industries, including e-commerce, real estate, automotive, and food and beverage. This background has honed her skills in communication, problem-solving, and strategic planning, enabling her to address each client’s unique challenges and ensure a rewarding and successful experience.

Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California, providing a solid foundation in both strategic and analytical skills. Outside of work, she enjoys playing volleyball, reading, and acting, which enhance her dynamic and engaging approach in her professional role. Kelly is also an active participant in her community, serving on the St. Croix Board of REALTORS®, as a Women’s Coalition Victim’s Advocate, and as a member of the St. Croix Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Malachi Peterson, Business Development Operations Associate

Malachi joins our Business Development Operations team with experience working in the government, corporate, non-profit, and small business spaces.. He works with incoming mature clients transition through the application process. Prior to the RT Park, Malachi worked in the Government of the Virgin Islands as a GVI Fellow.

Malachi received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Huston-Tillotson University. He is focused on learning information that can help improve the quality of life for his community.

Malachi was born and raised on St. Croix. He enjoys going to the beach with family. He spends his free time reading, playing video games, or watching sports.