Dear Source,
I request your indulgence to express a few words of concern on a subject that is of most importance to the community at large.
The recent news of the dismissal of Nick Pourzal from his position of Managing Director of the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel came as a severe shock to me since I know Nick as a very astute and dynamic hotelier, and one who has had the welfare of the Virgin Islands community in mind and heart at all times.
I have known him since he first arrived on St. Thomas in 1977, and he came at a time when the tourism industry was still in its climb. His contributions to the tourism industry, particularly on St.Thomas, are tremendous.
The fact that he managed the largest hotel property in the territory gave him a big stake in shaping tourism policy.
His tenure as president of the St.Thomas-St. John Hotel Association gave the organization a tremendous boost since Nick was also a strategic planner. The manner in which he responded to the various organizations and individuals who called upon him for assistance is still unprecedented in a public/private partnership in the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands.
The manner in which he treated his employees also speaks to the high regard in which he cared for them and their families.
After the devastating hurricanes in l989 and 1995, he made certain that the employees of the hotel were supported to ease their social and economic burdens.
I believe that other Virgin Islanders who know Nick will join me in hoping that he will be vindicated in the near future.
Thank you.
Eric E.Dawson
Former Commissioner of Economic Development (1987-1994)