Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has asked Frandelle Gerard, executive director of the Industrial Development Commission, to resign.
Government House was not commenting Wednesday afternoon on Gerard's parting with the administration, but the Source has learned that Gerard was asked to report to the governor's office on St. Thomas Wednesday morning and at that time was handed a letter, signed by Turnbull, asking her to resign her position by 5 p.m.
By Wednesday evening, Government House had issued a statement that Gerard had requested administrative leave effective that day and intended to resign her position effective Feb. 2.
According to the statement, Turnbull "thanked her for her service to his administration, and wished her well in all her future endeavors."
No explanation was given for her sudden departure. However, sources close to Gerard said she will be given another job with the administration.
Assistant Executive Director Nadine Marchena-Thomas has been tapped to lead the agency in an acting capacity. She served as acting executive director once before, from July 1998 to January 1999.
