The 33 year-old, born in St. Thomas, has lived in Tortola all of his life. “I’m the Human Resource Manager for the Ministry of Finance, Government of the Virgin Islands and my tasks include all matters related to HR,” he said. “This means ensuring regulatory policies and laws surrounding HR are upheld, while monitoring the Ministry of Finance and its departments. Additionally, I must ensure Government employees within my jurisdiction abide with the rules and regulations that govern their practices.”

Mr. Hodge expressed the motivation behind his work saying “I love people and I enjoy inspiring people to reach their highest potential. My job allows me to answer people’s needs and give them the satisfaction that they deserve from a job well done.”

The Human Resources Manager explained the drive that brought him into this line of work, “As a little boy I always loved people. My father was always involved in politics so I was always surrounded by people,” he said.

“So when I was young, around the age of eleven, people would come to me seeking an audience with my father for his help,” he continued. “I would be his messenger, taking names and jotting down their issues. I would take their numbers, sometimes following up by contacting them for my father. So with that job, the  role was embedded  in me at an early age, and I’ve always looked for an occupation that would provide the outlet to lend a hand to people.”

The Young Professional, who has an Executive Diploma in Management from the Chartered Management Institute UK, a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management from Inter American University, Puerto Rico and an Associates of Science in Business Administration from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, has also embarked on a fair amount of travelling to contribute to his life experience and professional perceptions. “I’ve done a bit of travelling around the world, a few HR related training sessions and a few business trips,” he said.

“It’s helped me to see what’s going on in the bigger, wider world,” he added. “I’ve seen how some countries share the same challenges as the Virgin Islands and looked at the ways they handle their problems. In some ways, we are ahead of other countries, but our country has room for development and I think we can look at emulating those methods to use for our Territory.”

Mr. Hodge talked about the way his knowledge from travelling has assisted his professional life, explaining a prime example of a tool he has implemented to improve the work group he manages. “My travels inspired me to construct a ‘Skills Team’ of eleven members, people from sections within the Ministry of Finance,” said the HR Manager. “The objective is to broaden our understanding of business in the Virgin Islands. We examine how the Ministry of Finance affects the BVI, and the importance of all paths to making the VI a success.”

The Ministry of Finance employee commented on some of his recent achievements in his occupation. “We had a Comptroller of Customs come and talk to my Skills Team in order to provide a feel for what it’s like to be in a leadership role. Controlling contraband and fighting crime in the country were a couple of the themes that this Comptroller covered for my team. I also united with the BVI Tourist Board in order for them to show my team the hospitality industry. This was intended to assess the maintenance of tourism in the VI and how that relates to the Ministry of Finance.”

Mr. Hodge, who is the son of Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and 6th District Representative, Honourable Omar W. Hodge, talked about his hopes and intentions for the future. “In five years, I see myself as a civil servant, because I enjoy what I do and hope to demonstrate the competence and abilities to serve in a higher capacity,” he said.

He commented: “My main ambition is to serve people to the best of my ability. Ultimately, I would like to be a strong instrument in politics, since I have watched how my father has served and would like to follow in his footsteps.”

“I suppose one story that pushed me, was when I was a little boy I used to sit in with my father in his office. I remember one day a lady came in crying, talking about how she was treated terribly by her employer in the presence of her co-workers. I think that was one of the things that stuck with me, the fact that there are actually people that don’t have anywhere to turn and do not hold the luxury of justice.”

“Justice is expensive and for the rich,” he continued. “Everyone is entitled to justice, but what happens to those people that can’t afford it? How many people in this world have that sort of money to spend? I don’t like to see suffering at all and people being taken advantage of.”

The HR Manager talked about his family: “I have twin daughters that really teach me a lot. When there are rough days, they remind me why I do what I do when they ask me questions. It re-energizes me, making me seek improvement in my professional life.”

Mr. Hodge explained his hopes that “I want to leave something positive behind – an energy or a vibe, something that resonates with my children, that allows them to see the good in the world and the positive elements in people.”

The Government employee concluded, “Personally, there is nothing in my career I would change for the future. It’s moulded me into the person I am today. If there is one thing I would have changed in the past, it would be to be more involved in community service to the younger generation and help their lives for the good of the VI.”