WAPA’s Knight Shares Salary Package, Thoughts on Leadership Changes, Progress and Road Ahead

When Karl Knight assumed the role of chief executive officer of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority in late July 2024, he inherited a utility beset with challenges.

Financial instability, operational inefficiencies, and a legacy of public distrust. In an interview with the Source Wednesday, Knight reflected on his initial months in office, detailing the strategies he’s employed to stabilize WAPA and set it on a more sustainable path. On Wednesday, Knight said one of his immediate priorities was to address leadership vacancies that had left key positions unfilled for extended periods. The chief financial officer role, for example, had been vacant since December 2023, with Lorraine Kelly serving in an acting capacity for nearly a year before her permanent appointment in December 2024. Similarly, the chief operating officer position had been held on an interim basis since 2022 until Lemuel Lavinier’s appointment in late 2024. Lavinier started officially this month.

These positions had been critical in addressing systemic inefficiencies and ensuring continuity in WAPA’s operations. But the leadership appointments have also not been without controversy. Knight’s tenure also saw the resignation of Ashley Bryan, who had been serving as interim chief operating officer for electric systems. Bryan, a veteran with over a decade at WAPA, stepped down in November 2024, citing personal reasons. Her departure came at a time when the utility was undergoing significant transitions, and her role was pivotal during periods of operational instability.