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Albert Bryan
9th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2019
Lieutenant	Tregenza Roach
Preceded by	Kenneth Mapp
Personal details
Born	Albert Bryan Jr. (1968-02-21) February 21, 1968 (age 56) St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Yolanda Cabodevilla ​(m. 1998)​
Children	2
Residence	Government House
Education	Wittenberg University (BA) University of the Virgin Islands (MBA)

Albert Bryan Jr. (born February 21, 1968) is an American politician and the ninth Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, since 2019.

Early life and education

Bryan was born on the island of Saint Thomas, to Albert and Genevieve Bryan, the oldest of five sons. He grew up in the Savan neighborhood of Charlotte Amalie, the territory's capital. As a teenager, Bryan moved to the island of Saint Croix, where he graduated from St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School in 1985. Bryan received his BA in economics from Wittenberg University in 1989. He later received his MBA from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2003.

Professional career

After graduating from college, Bryan returned to the Virgin Islands. He worked for positions at HESS, Innovative Communications and the Virgin Islands Housing Authority. In 2007, Bryan was appointed as Commissioner of Labor by Governor John De Jongh and concurrently served as Chairman of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority and Chairman of the GVI Development Bank. He then returned to the private sector in 2015, when he became CEO and President of Aabra Group, a consulting firm, and Master Strategies, a recruiting firm.

In 2002, Bryan co-founded Generation Now!, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on key political and social issues, offering mentorship, performing community service, and providing leadership seminars.

Political career

Bryan was inaugurated as the 9th governor of the United States Virgin Islands by Rhys Hodge, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands on January 7, 2019.

On January 10, Bryan announced his senior staff. On January 15, Bryan expressed his concern with gun violence in the territory. On January 19, Bryan signed into law The Virgin Islands Medicinal Cannabis Patient Care Act. On January 28, Bryan proposes legislation allowing attorney generals to serve six-year terms and their removal for cause only. On February 19, Bryan signed executive order declaring state of emergency to improve mental health and behavioral services. On February 26, 2019, Bryan testified about the USVI financial conditions, recovery efforts and advocated for Puerto Rico to become a state before the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In March 2019, Bryan became the first governor to reside at Government House St. Croix in 30 years. On March 26, Bryan visited FEMA warehouse in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, where supplies are also stored for USVI ahead of hurricane season. In April 2019, Bryan signed proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On May 28, Bryan submitted his first budget for FY 2020 to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. On August 3, Bryan signed bill into law which prohibits use of certain sunscreens in the territory. On August 19, Bryan began his first weekly press briefing. On August 28, Bryan declared a state of emergency and closed government offices due to Tropical Storm Dorian. On October 7, Bryan signed the Hotel Development Act into law. Bryan held the first Workforce Development Summit from November 13–14, 2019. On May 20, 2020, Bryan signed into law 8308, which allowed for a referendum vote in November 2020 on convening a constitutional convention. On August 16, 2021, Bryan signed bill into law authorizing repayment of 8% taken away from government employees in 2011.

COVID-19 pandemic

On March 13, 2020, Bryan declared a state of emergency in response to territory's first confirmed case of coronavirus. On March 16, Bryan announced the closure of public schools and bans gatherings of more than 50. On March 19, Bryan announced ban on gatherings of more than 10. On March 21, Bryan ordered non-essential businesses pause operations and residents stay home. Bryan issues proclamation referring March 30 as Virgin Islands Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reflection. On April 2, Bryan administration began screening passengers for coronavirus at airports. A poll conducted between April 4–5 shows 59% of voters approved with Bryan handling of the virus. Effective April 6, Bryan closed all public beaches from residents until April 20. On April 8, Bryan announced public schools would cancel in-person classes for the remainder of the 2019–20 school year. Beginning April 20, Bryan allowed beach restaurants to reopen but they couldn't have sell alcohol. On May 4, Bryan announced 2,430 checks have been processed while around 7,000 residents filed for unemployment benefits and movie theaters closed until June. On July 2, Bryan announced early closure of beaches ahead of holiday weekend until July 5, mandatory tests for travelers arriving from certain states and bars shut down after midnight until further notice. On July 9, Bryan ordered all bars including at restaurants shut down immediately, travelers coming from hot spot states are required to show a negative Covid test and beaches are closed at 4pm on weekends following territory's spike in cases. On August 4, Bryan request for extension to State of Emergency Declaration through October 9. On August 10, Bryan told restaurants either they abide rules or get shut down for 30 days, limits funeral attendants to 10 and any boaters not complying with guidelines will be fine $10,000. On August 13, Bryan ordered all non-essential businesses to close and hotels only accept business-related travelers, government workers and emergency workers as the territory reverts to Stay at Home order. On September 8, Bryan transition into Safer at Home phase allowing non-essential businesses to reopen and announced travelers must provide negative PCR test upon arrival or face mandatory 14-day quarantine. On October 13, Bryan announced places of worship could have 50% of capacity at a maximum of 100 people effectively November 9. On November 4, Bryan reversed his decision and allowed nightclubs along with bars to reopen. In November 2020, Bryan wrote a letter to Congress urging for more COVID-19 Relief Fund Aid. On November 24, Bryan ordered government a soft two-week shutdown and give administrative leave to non-essential workers. On December 14, Bryan announced nightclubs would be closed from December 17 and bars beginning Christmas Day until January 8. In December 2020, Bryan received his Covid-19 vaccine. On April 13, Bryan held second Territorial Day of Prayer against pandemic. On May 17, Bryan said USVI will be among last jurisdictions to lift mask mandates following CDC announcement. On May 25, Bryan signed executive order extending eviction ban through July 30, 2021. On June 28, Bryan said his administration wouldn’t mandate Covid vaccination for public schools. On July 1, Bryan request for extension to State of Emergency Declaration through October 4. On July 15, Bryan restricted travel between USVI & BVI as Covid-19 take hold on the two respective territories. On July 26, Bryan was frustrated with territory’s low vaccination rate as he intended to have 50,000 Virgin Islanders vaccinated by July 1. On July 29, Bryan ordered all public schools to utilize virtual learning for August 9 reopening due to Delta variant. On August 9, Bryan said unvaccinated government employees would need to test weekly starting September 9. He later reversed his decision to require unvaccinated government employees to get weekly testing. On September 24, Bryan extend eviction ban until December 31 and cancels private vehicle inspections through March 2022. On October 26, Bryan lifts nighttime curfew on bars & nightclubs effective October 29 and raised number of event attendees to 250 who must be vaccinated. He also said his administration are looking to resume in-person learning for all students in January 2022. On November 8, Bryan announced USVI will begin verifying vaccinated people in the U.S. for travel to the territory in 30 days.

Personal life

Bryan and his wife, Yolanda Cabodevilla, have been married since 1998. They have two children.

References

1. "Albert Bryan Jr. Takes Oath Of Office As 9th Elected Governor Of U.S. Virgin Islands". VI Consortium. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
2. "Governor Bryan Names Senior Staff, Sets Date to Announce Cabinet". VI Consortium. January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
3. "Bryan Expresses Concern With Wave Of Gun Violence Affecting USVI". VI Consortium. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
4. "Governor Bryan Signs Medicinal Marijuana Bill Into Law". VI Consortium. January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
5. "Governor Bryan To Introduce Legislation Allowing Six-Year Terms For Attorneys General And Removal For Cause Only". VI Consortium. January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
6. "Gov. Bryan Declares'Mental Healthcare Emergency' Due To Shortage Of Psychiatrists". C-SPAN. February 19, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
7. "State of U.S. Territories". C-SPAN. February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
8. "Bryan Family Makes Full-Time Move To Government House St. Croix, The First Governor To Do So In 30 Years". VI Consortium. March 16, 2019.
9. "Gov. Bryan Goes To Puerto Rico To See If FEMA Is Ready For Hurricane Season 2019". Virgin Islands Free Press. March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
10. "Bryan Signs Proclamation Recognizing April As Sexual Assault Awareness Month". VI Consortium. April 9, 2019.
11. "Bryan Submits $1.27 Billion 2020 Budget. In It, Hurricane Economy Propels Growth, But Path To Sustainability Depends On Gov't Action". VI Consortium. May 31, 2019.
12. "Bill Banning Use of Certain Suncreens In USVI Signed Into Law". VI Consortium. August 3, 2019.
13. "Bryan Takes Steps Toward Greater Transparency". VI Consortium. August 16, 2019.
14. "Bryan Announces Closure Of Schools And Government Offices Territory-Wide As Dorian Heads To USVI". VI Consortium. August 28, 2019.
15. "Bryan Signs Expansion Of Hotel Development Act To Boost New Investments And Aid Existing Hotels To Rebuild After 2017 Storms". VI Consortium. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
16. "Bryan To Host Government's First Workforce Development Summit". VI Consortium. November 5, 2019.
17. "Bryan Signs 12 Bills Into Law, Vetoes 2, Including Measure Requiring Greater Expertise on G.E.R.S. Board, Saying Bill Poorly Written". VI Consortium. May 22, 2020.
18. "Bryan Signs Into Law Bill to Repay 8 Percent Gov't Employees Wage Cut". VI Consortium. August 16, 2021.
19. "Gov. Bryan Declares State of Emergency, Cancels St. Patrick's Day Parade, Says Carnival 'Will Most Likely' Be Canceled in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic". VI Consortium. March 30, 2020.
20. "Watch:Bryan Addresses Community on Coronavirus, Closes Schools, Bans Public Gatherings of More Than 50, More Actions". VI Consortium. March 16, 2020.
21. "Bryan Limits Gatherings to 10 in Latest Coronavirus Action; 32 Suspected Cases Sent to CDC to Date, 3 Positives, 8 Negatives, 21 Pending". VI Consortium. March 19, 2020.
22. "Occupancy Businesses Ordered Not to Accept More Guests, Non-Essential Businesses to Cease Operations Until April 6, Bryan Orders in Last Update; Residents Encouraged to Shelter in Place". VI Consortium. March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
23. "Bryan Issues 'Virgin Islands Day of Prayer and Fasting' Proclamation; Special Event Set for Monday to be Carried Live on Consortium". VI Consortium. March 29, 2020.
24. "Bryan Administration to Finally Start Screening for Coronavirus at Territory's Airports". VI Consortium. April 2, 2020.
25. "Governor Bryan Scores High Marks from Voters on Handling of Covid-19 Virus". VI Tech Stack. April 5, 2020.
26. "No Limin' on the Beach: Residents Forbidden to Soak in Territory's Waters Until April 20 Amid First Coronavirus Death in USVI". VI Consortium. April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
27. "Bryan Announces Cancelation of In-Person School Classes for Remainder of School Year; 'Virtual' Ceremonies Planned For 2020 Graduates; Coronavirus Cases Rise to 45". VI Consortium. April 8, 2020.
28. "Bryan Allows Beach Restaurants to Reopen, Though They Can't Sell Alcohol; Stimulus Checks Expected by Mid-May". VI Consortium. April 20, 2020.
29. "Movie Theaters To Remain Closed Until June; 7,000 Residents File Unemployment Claims, Though Number May Be Off, Bryan Says; Pandemic EBT Cards Announced". VI Consortium. May 4, 2020.
30. "Bryan Announces Mandatory Covid-19 Tests For Travelers From Certain States; Beaches to Close at 4p.m. During Holiday Weekend; Bars to Shut Down at Midnight Until Further Notice". VI Consortium. July 2, 2020.
31. "Bryan Shuts Down Bars, Extends List of Hot Spot States; Beaches to Close at 4pm on Weekends; Limetree Bay Commits to Test All Workers". VI Consortium. July 9, 2020.
32. "Bryan Seeks 60-Day Extension to State of Emergency Declaration". VI Consortium. August 6, 2020.
33. "Bryan to Restaurants: Break Rules and Get Shutdown for 30 Days; Funeral Attendance Now Limited to 10; Boaters Face $10k Fine for Violating Guidelines". VI Consortium. August 10, 2020.
34. "Bryan Shuts Down Non-Essential Businesses, Hotel Reservation System, Churches, and More in 'Stay at Home' Order". VI Consortium. August 13, 2020.
35. "Bryan to Announce Transition to 'Safer at Home' Phase of Reopening Tuesday, Allowing Non-Essentials, Restaurants to Reopen". VI Consortium. September 6, 2020.
36. "Bryan Now Says Nightclubs Will Be Allowed to Reopen Nov. 9". VI Consortium. November 4, 2020.
37. "Bryan Writes Letter to Congress Seeking More Covid-19 Financial Aid, Cancellation of $300 Million Community Disaster Loan Debt". VI Consortium. November 24, 2020.
38. "Bryan Orders 'Soft' 2-Week Shutdown For Government Agencies, Grants Administrative Leave Friday, and Suspends Permits for Large Gatherings". VI Consortium. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
39. "Bryan Considering Nighttime Curfew, Shuts Down Nightclubs From Thursday For Entire Holiday Season and Bars Beginning Dec. 25; Universal Mask Wearing to be Enforced". VI Consortium. December 14, 2020.
40. "Bryan Announces Second Territorial Day of Prayer Set for Tuesday". VI Consortium. April 13, 2021.
41. "USVI Will be Among Last Jurisdictions to Lift Mask Mandate, Bryan Says". VI Consortium. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
42. "Bryan Announces Eviction Ban Extension, Increase in Taxi Passenger Limit and Seating at Bars, Nightclubs". VI Consortium. May 18, 2021.
43. "Bryan Says Administration Will Not Mandate Covid Vaccination For Public Schools". VI Consortium. June 29, 2021.
44. "Bryan Announces Travel Restrictions Between USVI and BVI, Expresses 'Grave Concern' As USVI Cases Jump to 124; Ten People Hospitalized in USVI, Two on Ventilators". VI Consortium. July 15, 2021.
45. "No Vaccine, No Carnival, Bryan Says; Governor Unleashes on Vaccine Doubters, Conspiracy Theorists". VI Consortium. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
46. "Bryan announces delay in return to in-person classrooms". VI Consortium. July 29, 2021.
47. "Bryan Says Unvaccinated Gov't Employees Will Have to Test Weekly Beginning Sept. 9". VI Consortium. August 9, 2021.
48. "Bryan Walks Back Sept. 9 Implementation of Mandatory Covid-19 Test for Government Employees". VI Consortium. August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
49. "Bryan's Latest Supplemental Executive Order Suspends Private Vehicle Inspections Through March 2022, Extends Eviction Moratorium". VI Consortium. September 24, 2021.
50. "Bryan Removes Nighttime Curfew on Bars and Nightclubs, Lifts 11 p.m. Ban on Drink Sales, Raises Event Attendance Limit to 250 for Vaccinated People". VI Consortium. October 26, 2021.
51. "Bryan Administration Aiming for 'No Later Than January 10' to 'Phase In' In-Person Learning for All Students". VI Consortium. October 27, 2021.
52. "Pointing to Increasing Regional Competition, Bryan Says USVI Will Start Verifying People Vaccinated in U.S. for Travel to Territory in 30 Days". VI Consortium. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.

v t e Governors of the U.S. Virgin Islands
Naval (1917–1931)	Pollock Oliver Oman Kittelle Hough Williams Trench W. Evans
Civil (1931–1969)	Pearson Herrick Cramer Lovett Harwood Hastie de Castro Alexander Claunch Gordon Merwin Paiewonsky King
Elected (since 1969)	M. Evans King Luis Farrelly Schneider Turnbull de Jongh Mapp Bryan

• 1968 births
• Living people
• 21st-century American politicians
• Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands politicians
• Democratic Party state governors of the United States
• Governors of the United States Virgin Islands
• University of the Virgin Islands alumni
• Wittenberg University alumni