Gustav James was born on St. Croix to parents Gustav James Sr. and Evelyn Messer James. He was raised in the Town of Frederiksted along with his 9 siblings. Gustav attended St. Croix Catholic Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Upon graduation from St. Joseph High School he attended Michigan State University funded by scholarships from the Government of the Virgin Islands and Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation. Gustav graduated with honors from Michigan State University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

 

After completing his studies in Michigan, which included co-op engineering training at General Motors Corporation, he decided to leave the automotive industry and travel the world by accepting a lucrative job offer from the largest oil exporting company in the world, The Arabian American Oil Company. Gustav spent over ten years with ARAMCO, working in the Middle East, The United States and Japan. He was responsible for the design, construction and start-up of various industrial projects ranging in size from 1 million to 185 million U.S. Dollars. After resigning from ARAMCO, he returned to St. Croix where he worked as an engineer consulting and general contractor. He, together with Coughlin Associates served as the Resident Engineer on the design and construction of the Frederiksted Pier. In 1993 Gustav accepted a position as the General Manager of C&C, one of the largest construction companies in the Hess Oil Refinery. His work force of up to 450 people, was responsible for constructing and maintaining many critical components and systems within the St. Croix Refinery. After resigning from his refinery post, Gustav returned to engineering consulting and general construction, completing numerous projects in the Territory, including the University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall, a major renovation of the Frederiksted Clinic and various affordable and luxury homes. In December 2014, newly elected Governor Kenneth E. Mapp asked Mr. James to join his administration as Commissioner of the Department of Public Works. The VI Department of Public Works is mandated to plan, construct and maintain the public roads, highways and storm drainage systems, the public transportation systems, the public parking facilities, the public buildings and the public cemeteries of The Territory. Additionally, the Department serves as the Government’s Engineers, providing engineering and project management services and expertise wherever and whenever it is required.

 

August 2017 Gustav resigned from his position of Public Works Commissioner, returning to consulting engineering and construction in the private sector, maintaining his passion to make Virgin Islands infrastructure the best that it can be.

 

A devoted father, grandfather, brother and highly intellectual leader, Gustav James embodies the heart grit and forward-thinking vision needed to guide the U.S. Virgin Islands into a new era of progress, excellence and renewed

opportunity.