VISAR appoints new Executive Creative Director and Operations Manager
The Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) has appointed a new Executive Creative Director and Operations Manager. respectively.
A media release from VISAR on Monday January 6 listed the two appointees as Julie Schneider and Phil Aspinall, respectively.
President of VISAR’s Board of Directors Gerad Kraakman said the appointments were necessary to continue in further advancing the organisation
“In the 30 years that VISAR has been serving the BVI, we have always known the importance of keeping pace with the ever-evolving needs and demands of the territory. In 2019, it became clear that we needed to invest more time and resource in areas of the organization that have traditionally been managed by volunteers; engaging with regulatory bodies, international governments, and other Search and Rescue (SAR) organisations,” Kraakman stated.
He added: “In order to do so effectively, whilst still delivering successful fundraisers and maintaining our core mission of saving lives at seas, it is no longer prudent to rely solely on volunteers, we need to have a dedicated team that can apply their talents and take VISAR to the next level.”
Schneider, who served as VISAR’s Operations Manager since 2016, was promoted to the newly-created position of Executive Creative Director to further assist the Board of Directors in achieving the organisation’s long- and short-term goals.
“Her responsibilities will include strategic planning and implementation of fundraising projects, creating marketing and advertising campaigns and creating community programs,” the release stated.
Schneider will also be tasked with managing the Operations Manager and Executive Administrator.
Meanwhile, Aspinal who is a former President of the Board of Directors and longtime VISAR Coordinator will be undertaking several new objectives under his role as Operations Manager.
These include ensuring VISAR is meeting international SAR standards and regulations sanctioned by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the IMO Instruments Implementation Code.
Apart from handling the everyday operational tasks, Aspinall will also be the permanent liaison with all local and international government agencies and other Overseas Territory SAR groups.
Both roles will be supported by the Executive Administrator Carine Locher, who has been employed with VISAR since 2018.
President of VISAR’s Board of Directors Gerad Kraakman said the appointments were necessary to continue in further advancing the organisation
“In the 30 years that VISAR has been serving the BVI, we have always known the importance of keeping pace with the ever-evolving needs and demands of the territory. In 2019, it became clear that we needed to invest more time and resource in areas of the organization that have traditionally been managed by volunteers; engaging with regulatory bodies, international governments, and other Search and Rescue (SAR) organisations,” Kraakman stated.
He added: “In order to do so effectively, whilst still delivering successful fundraisers and maintaining our core mission of saving lives at seas, it is no longer prudent to rely solely on volunteers, we need to have a dedicated team that can apply their talents and take VISAR to the next level.”
Schneider, who served as VISAR’s Operations Manager since 2016, was promoted to the newly-created position of Executive Creative Director to further assist the Board of Directors in achieving the organisation’s long- and short-term goals.
“Her responsibilities will include strategic planning and implementation of fundraising projects, creating marketing and advertising campaigns and creating community programs,” the release stated.
Schneider will also be tasked with managing the Operations Manager and Executive Administrator.
Meanwhile, Aspinal who is a former President of the Board of Directors and longtime VISAR Coordinator will be undertaking several new objectives under his role as Operations Manager.
These include ensuring VISAR is meeting international SAR standards and regulations sanctioned by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the IMO Instruments Implementation Code.
Apart from handling the everyday operational tasks, Aspinall will also be the permanent liaison with all local and international government agencies and other Overseas Territory SAR groups.
Both roles will be supported by the Executive Administrator Carine Locher, who has been employed with VISAR since 2018.
