Deon Vanterpool is the son of Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool and has already made an indelible mark in the retail business. He is now the Managing Director of three supermarkets, which he and his wife of nearly 10 years have promoted as AValue Limited in Huntums Ghut, Sea Cows Bay and East End.

For the interview, the easy-going businessman sat down with Virgin Islands News Online holding his trademark mug of coffee and admitted it’s a morning ritual. Then it was down to serious business.

According to the young professional, owning his own business was a well thought out plan between him and his business savvy wife Samonia for nearly a year before making the bold move six months ago.

“I have been in the supermarket business now for 10 years now, K Marks and One Mart, and I decided to venture out into a more neighbourhood stores as they are called in the United States which target persons that live around the stores,” he stated.

Although a “significant amount of time and money” was invested to further develop the three supermarkets, Vanterpool sees it as a way to connect with the people.

“I spend most of my time at the Huntums Ghut branch, and it’s a comforting feeling to meet the different people in the community. Sometimes you see them two three times a day, and they would take time out to strike up a conversation, and that gives me a good feeling,” he said with a smile.

His vision for his stores is to take them up a notch from convenient stores to a scale where good product variety and affordable prices are available. To this end, this young professional has introduced Whirlpool appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators which have been selling “quite fast”.

Vanterpool describes himself as ambitious and action oriented, and laughed when the question arose of his youthful appearance.

“I have been told I look very young...it’s been something that I have heard throughout my career and it does not bother me,” he confessed. “What I do is not to focus on the age necessarily but focus on what I can do and what I am supposed to do.”

These characteristics combined with Vanterpool’s experiences studying in Germany and Seoul, Korea, living in Brazil, interning with Chase Securities on Wall Street, serving as a consultant for a global consulting services firms including Federal Express and Coca Cola, preparing and monitoring governmental budgets, and leading a growing private company, enables him to provide an international perspective and understanding of financial leadership matched by few.

Prior to venturing out on his own, Vanterpool was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K-Mark’s after two years as a business consultant with the company, proving his consistent ability to succeed by leveraging a diverse background in management consulting, accounting and finance, and international business to analyze and advance operations.

While there he was in charge of the overall strategic direction while engaging employees and managers across the company. He positioned K-Mark’s for rapid response to the changes in the market environment and attained double-digit sales growth in the first three years to reach a quarter million dollars in annual sales.

“In conjunction with driving growth, I developed and presented business plans, project proposals, feasibility studies, corporate valuations, and other legal and financial documentation and raised $2 million in capital to facilitate a private offering of the company,” Vanterpool disclosed.

As the CEO of K-Mark’s, Vanterpool also cultivated a continuous improvement culture among up to 150 employees, completed human resource planning to execute corporate restructuring, and fostered opportunities for upward mobility and personal growth within the company. By revising operational procedures, advancing IT systems, spearheading hiring and training processes, and directly communicating with employees across the company, he enhanced productivity and profitability.

Before his CEO post, this young Virgin Islander managed cash flow and budget planning for the Ministry of Finance, executing projects for the Financial Secretary and Deputy Financial Secretary, preparing budgets for Legislature approval, and integrating new tax and customs systems to improve efficiency and accuracy. At Kearney Consulting, he provided an international perspective and quick intellect to research and implement cutting-edge solutions for multi-national organizations.

Vanterpool was also a leader of the CTeck Investment Club for six years, holding the positions of both President and Vice President, and is also a member of the British Virgin Islands National Volleyball Team and Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society.

This young professional holds an M.B.A. from Duke University, graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Finance from Morehouse College and achieved a Certificate in Strategic Human Resources from Cornell University – School of Industrial Relations. He is also a member of several international organizations such as American Purchasing Society, Society for Human Resource Management and has enhanced his experience through direct exposure and research.

And though his credentials are impressive, Vanterpool keeps it real. His advice for young men and women who have or are venturing into business is to “stay strong. It’s not easy. Every business whether you are old or young or new in business presents a challenge. It’s good to have a strong support network, and at times you may feel you are not getting things done but that is part of the growing process”.

Meanwhile, the burning question of if he feels pressured being the Minister’s son came as no surprise to the young Vanterpool. “I have been asked that question a million times. My father is a very passionate man, and I have a strong passion for doing things once I do something, I like to see it done well. I also have an appreciation for people, to see them do well. I would not like to be in a position where I am the only person doing well when the people around me are not doing great. So no I don’t feel pressured to follow in his footstep,” Vanterpool replied. Interestedly, entering the political arena is not something he has given much thought.

And the one thing, this ambitious young professional loves above all, is cherishing the time he spends with his wife and two children Denika, 3 and Deonte, 6.