In that capacity, she is the public face of the local telecommunications company, being responsible for all press and media relations and community sponsorships. She started out at CCT five years ago as an Executive Officer and transitioned to Office Manager before being promoted to her current position.

Derecia is a proud wife and also the mother of two beautiful girls. Recalling her earlier life, she is also proud to announce that she is a product of the public school system in the Virgin Islands, saying this is proof that the system works. She started her education at the Enid Scatliffe pre-Primary School, advanced to the Althea Scatliffe Primary School and later the BVI now Elmore Stoutt High School.

Having graduated from BVIHS, she went on to college at Bethune Cookman, a historically black college (HBC), in Daytona Beach, Florida, to pursue a degree in accounting. But she later transferred to the University of Central Florida in Orlando where she completed the degree in 2000.

Derecia returned home after college to begin her professional life and started out as a Junior Auditor at BDO Binder. She however later changed career paths and entered the trust world as an International Administration Manager at Amicorp BVI Ltd./Pro Services Ltd. There, she was the Administrator/Accountant, managing a team of two individuals in the Accounting and Administrative Department.

Through her education and managerial trust experience, Derecia is now four subjects pending to be certified  under the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators as a  certified ISCA Secretary/  Administrator. ISCA, based out of the UK, is a highly qualified profession for individuals in the trust and administration business sector.

With a hectic professional and personal life, life presents a bit of a challenge sometimes, but Derecia has been able to manage juggling between her family life and work. “I have been able to find a balance because although I love my job, I cannot afford to get too consumed in my work and neglect my other duties,” she said.

VINO caught up with Derecia this week, who, while on maternity leave, was extremely busy preparing costumes for her festival troupe. For the past four years, Derecia has had an entry in the adults’ parade for the annual August Festival Emancipation celebrations. The troupe originated through, in the first year, her association with CCT and was labeled as the CCT troupe. However, the next year, it blossomed into the Eclectic Troupe and has had from 70 to 125 revelers each time playing mass.

This troupe has been one of the best to ever take part in the August Monday parade and they claimed the title of Best Adult Troupe for two years in a row. Last year, Eclectic placed 2^nd and they are eager to reclaim their 1^st place title this year.

“I have always loved festival,” Derecia said excitedly. “Since I was as little as 4 or 5 years, I always participated in festival, whether as a clown or an Indian; I always played mass and always wanted to have my own entry.” She believes what makes her troupe special is its uniqueness of bringing a particular style that is not replicated.

For her age, Derecia has accomplished quite a lot and is satisfied to a great extent with her accomplishments. “I never thought for example that I would be in the telecommunications industry period; I always saw myself with a fascination for the trust industry,” she explained. “But the doors opened in telecoms and it sparked my interest to learn it and I am loving it so far.”

So, when it’s not work and family time, what is it for Derecia? “Nothing really,” she said, “it’s just work, family time, alone time and a little gardening.”

Being known for her outspokenness, VINO asked Derecia about her views on current affairs, in particular politics. She declined to comment, saying: “I have my own views obviously on some of the issues affecting the territory, but I am not an advocate at all of politics, and so I won’t go there.”

In terms of her future aspirations, one of these days, Derecia would like to own and run her own business.