Diageo USVI is marking 10 years of rum-making on St. Croix this year, celebrating employees and the community. In June 2008, then-governor John de Jongh Jr. and Diageo USVI jointly announced a public-private initiative for the construction and operation of a high-capacity rum distillery on St. Croix.
The distillery was completed two years later and is now known as the home of Captain Morgan rum products for the United States, providing a major economic stimulus for the entire territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Captain Morgan has been the number one selling spiced rum and the third largest spirits brand in the U.S. for many years, and our team on St. Croix is excited to own a decade of that legacy and be a part of the brand’s future,” said Cynthia Arnold, vice president of operations.
Arnold started her career at Diageo USVI nine years ago as finance manager and through a series of promotions,
She became head of the operation in 2019. “We have a saying at the distillery: ‘Rum is Boss.’ Our team brings that to life in our commitment to making high-quality rum safely and consistently. With Captain Morgan’s deep Caribbean legacy, our legendary crew creates some of the world’s finest rum with pride and style.” (#RumIsBoss)
From the start of its operations on St. Croix, Diageo USVI also has endeavored to invest in the community through charitable giving, sponsorships and donations. In addition to the various employee-focused recognitions, Diageo USVI is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of rum making in the USVI through giving, announcing today that it will contribute “10 for 10” – two $10,000 donations to charitable causes in the territory during this holiday season.
These gifts will be the first of a number of planned donations to be made in celebration of 10 years and intended to continue supporting to the community that Diageo USVI calls home.
Remarking on the anniversary, Perry Jones, president of Diageo North America Supply, said, “Our Captain Morgan distillery is one of the most important among Diageo’s facilities worldwide. We couldn’t be more pleased with our team and production there, and we are thrilled to celebrate 10 years on St. Croix.”
The Captain Morgan Visitor Center has also been recently renovated ahead of the 10-year anniversary. Now known as the Captain Morgan Experience Center, it remains a central part of several tourist initiatives on St. Croix. As part of the center initiative, Diageo USVI works closely with local taxi and tour companies, cruise ships, airlines and hotels to support tourist traffic to the island.
Visitors experience a 30-minute-long tour, which includes a history of Captain Morgan rum, a tour of the distillery when feasible, multiple fun photo locations and a photo booth, a tasting bar and a Captain Morgan merchandise store.
Diageo USVI is also celebrating individual employees as they reach their own 10-year mark at the company with special gifts and recognition.
ABOUT DIAGEO USVI
Captain Morgan brand is a global leader among premium spirits and is the second leading rum in the world. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
