June Archibald has left her position as director of public relations for the Department of Education to take a similar job with PriceSmart. The membership-only discount chain store will open its first Virgin Islands outlet in early May near Fort Mylner in St. Thomas.
Archibald has many years' experience in public relations, and 13 years service with the government.
No announcement was made about her resignation; Archibald said she began working with PriceSmart three weeks ago. She has made a recommendation for a replacement in her $50,000 position at Education, but she said she does not know whether any decision has been made. Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds was not available last week for comment.
"It's not often you get to try a new career," Archibald said. So when Philip Visser, Virgin Islands managing director for PriceSmart, approached her about directing company public relations in the territory, she "decided to take the plunge.
"It's wonderful to be on the ground floor of a new enterprise," she said.
The St. Thomas store is PriceSmart's 19th outlet. It introduces a new concept in the Virgin Islands: club membership for discount shopping. The regular membership is $24 annually, but Archibald said the cost will be half that for anyone who signs up early. And government employees who sign up by April 18 pay just $5.
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