Pariah! Skelton and BVITB parted ways over leadership direction
Former Deputy Director of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) Rhodni Skelton has suggested that an impasse between himself and the Board may have led to his contract not being renewed.
In an interview with ZBVI radio, Skelton said he was not fired in the traditional sense, but was left with unfavourable options in seeking to continue with the BVITB.
“I think the Board and I disagreed in terms of where the leadership of the organisation should go and the options that were presented to me were not favourable,” said Skelton while noting that the Board also sought to cut his salary.
According to Skelton, he was put in a ‘take it or leave it’ position regarding his exit options. “One would’ve amounted to a reduction in salary. The other would have amounted to scrutiny that was uncalled for, and then the other one was, ‘thank you for your service’,”.
And while acknowledging that he could sometimes be viewed as what some might call a ‘pariah’, Skelton said he was not a difficult person to deal with.
“When you push back at certain things that politicians or board members may want to do, then you become the person — I, Rhodni Skelton become the person, as I’ve heard twice from members of this government that’s too hard to handle,” he stated.
Things could have been different
The former Deputy Director said it was not the way he envisioned ending his career at the Tourist Board and expressed regret that things did not play out differently.
“This is not the way that I envisioned how we deal with our people who have put in the time, who have qualified themselves to the umpteenth degree, have the most experience, have the most knowledge, but for whatever reasons, whether political, whether personal, you know, we choose not to deal with our own people,” he stated.
Skelton suggested that he may be taking further measures, such as legal action in the matter.
In the meantime, Premier and Tourism Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley said he felt the relationship between Skelton and the Board ended amicably.
While wishing Skelton well in his future endeavours, Premier Wheatley commented that all the current challenges with the BVITB have to do with board governance and noted that some protocols will be implemented to allow the board to be governed based on best practices.
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How Natalio could speak for Skelton? “Dr Natalio Wheatley said he felt the relationship between Skelton and the Board ended amicably.”
Stop sugarcoating things and speaking for people whose position you’re not in.
Wasn’t there a recent riff in the Board? Is the Chair still the Chair? Sounds like confusion already.
Was the decisions made against Skelton personal directly coming from the Chair? Did the other Board members agree?
No not much call for me these days , I can lead to all kinds of trouble?
Your business is your own.
Privacy is a luxury all the scrutiny pros will regret having lost if invasive technology and the police state mentality continues to secure its roots.
KARMA
The last board wanted him gone as he does not show up for meetings. Tell the truth, he has made a lot of money for very little work and has gotten a very nice severance package.!
The last board wanted him gone as he does not show up for meetings. Tell the truth, he has made a lot of money for very little work and has gotten a very nice severance package.!
Karma for wha? He fired you?
What kind of meetings? It says that he was acting Deputy not Director?
I hope that natalio wheatly know that his time is coming to and end amicable also.
They fell out over work differences. The board felt he should do some work but Rhodni didnt.
Just one of thousands sucking on the govt teat. Sack half of them and no one would notice.
You must have a level head during mediation.
The salary comes with production and apparently you were not producing for your level of work. Lead by example. Not because you are not in the drivers seat.
We need new blood. The Tourism board is amateur hour. Get someone with a real background in Advertising and PR.
The country needs some leadership in this area. The BVI Love is crap marketing.
HE WANTS TO MAKE EVERYTHING SOUND GOOD.
HE NEEDS TO GET SOME BALLS AND GIVE BACK THE MAN HIS JOB.
Mr. Rhodni, I watched your interview on 284 media and let me tell you this and I’m sure you know 85 also. Nothing in this world is due on to you nor you are entitled to other than what your parents left for you.
You can study till kingdom come and have all the qualifications but this sense of entitlement that you were trending on from the way you expressed yourself is a desastre waiting to happen and the TB prevented that from happening and you should be honored they did such.
Down with the entitlement mentality!
Mr. Rhodni, I watched your interview on 284 media and let me tell you this and I’m sure you know 85 also. Nothing in this world is due on to you nor you are entitled to other than what your parents left for you.
You can study till kingdom come and have all the qualifications but this sense of entitlement that you were trending on from the way you expressed yourself is a desastre waiting to happen and the TB prevented that from happening and you should be honored they did such.
List his body of work or contributions other than Anegada Lobster Fest. I think this dude is to a**ogant, his cry is all about self, entitlement and qualification.
With two years at the helm what good or benefit has the territory enjoyed through his brilliance? Should you run for election, you’ll be rejected too.
Learn a lot about him, his attitude, his temperament, his passion, what motivates him. Lot to consider if he decides to run for political office..
to discover that members of the BVITB are actually paid a salary by the BVI government and are expected to perform actual work. Lots of us residents thought the BVITB members paid the BVI government around $60K annually for honorary positions in this organization so their name could be publicized in tourist industry without any actual work performed.
Please watch 284 interview and listen to him pontificate and speak in the third person – Rhodni does this …etc. Part of operating at his level is being diplomatic and getting along with everyone and using your skills of influence rather than being all about Rhodni. Negotiation and compromise are the most important skills – hope he recognises this and comes back stronger. Would be a waste if he continues on this same path of Rhodni.
He earned it though. That is not entitlement that is simply deserving it! Why are we such crabs in barrel?
He was never at the helm. He talked about his team and that he loved working with them. I guess you missed that while just hating. That man earned his job.