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Michael Pemberton is the Founder and Managing Partner of Modern Caribbean, LLC (MOCA), a full-service government relations and consulting firm based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, focusing on the entire Caribbean region. MOCA offers its clients legislative and regulatory consultation, strategic partnering, and business and capital-raising assistance.  MOCA has a demonstrated track record of providing high-impact consulting services to its clients and has recently been successful in securing multiple mandates that will generate millions of dollars of revenue.

Michael was born and raised in St. Croix. Upon graduating from high school, Michael enlisted in the Marines. During his four years of service, Micheal embraced the principles of perseverance and discipline, which later became key elements in his approach toward entrepreneurship. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Michael completed his undergraduate studies and graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands with a business administration degree and a management minor. 

In 2018, Micheal became integral to the-candidate Albert Bryan’s gubernatorial campaign. His experience in that effort further cemented his intention to expand his entrepreneurial endeavors. The initial result of that spirit was Ávera Tech, which raised over a million dollars of seed capital and became part of the very first cohort of the U.S. Virgin Island’s ‘Research and Technology Park Accelerate Program,’ which seeks to build a pipeline of promising early-stage startup companies and provide them with the tools they need to grow and scale from the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

In addition to Ávera Tech, Michael developed the idea for MOCA, which currently has 19 clients, and is actively working on their behalf to participate in the billions of dollars of infrastructure funds allocated to the USVI, as well as pursuing opportunities in the Caribbean, notably in Guyana and the Dominican Republic. 

Michael Pemberton also serves as the treasurer of the United States Virgin Islands Governors’ Millennial Council, where he utilizes his regional relationships to cultivate diplomatic and business opportunities.

Les Hollis has two decades of experience as an investment banker, private equity investor, and entrepreneur. Recently, Les has been focused on the burgeoning legal cannabis industry, investing out of his holding company (Hollis Ventures, LLC). Les has put together investor groups and applications in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arkansas, and Maryland. In aggregate, Les has raised over $30 million for his medical cannabis entities. Les was introduced to the legal cannabis space in 2014 by putting together a group of investors in Illinois to form Illinois Grown Medicine (“IGM”), and from 2014-2017 served as its CEO where he oversaw operational oversight for a dispensary and a cultivation site; he currently maintains an equity stake. Notably, in 2015 IGM became the only African-American-owned and operated medical cannabis company to be awarded either a cultivation or dispensary license in the State of Illinois.

Prior to joining IGM, Les served as a merchant banker for his own investment banking firm (Quaestus Capital) making investments in a range of industries. Prior to founding Quaestus in 2011, Les was a founder of Bivium Capital Partners, LLC, a fund-of-funds investment manager, and served as its chief executive officer from its inception in 2002 until his departure in 2010. During his tenure as CEO, Les was a member of the firm’s investment committee and responsible for the overall direction of the firm, which raised $1.5 billion from many of the world’s largest, most-respected pension funds. His clients included the corporate pension funds for IBM and PG&E; the States of Connecticut, Maryland, and Michigan; as well as New York City, San Francisco, Alameda County, and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System.

Les previously was employed at Epoch Partners, a start-up investment bank backed by Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield & Byers; Benchmark Capital; and Trident Capital. Epoch Partners was sold to Goldman, Sachs & Co. in July 2001. Earlier, Les worked for the communications, media and entertainment group of Goldman, Sachs & Co., advising clients regarding capital formation and mergers and acquisitions.

Les holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cornell University and a Master’s degree from Columbia Business School, where he was a Robert Toigo Foundation fellow and was elected vice president of the student body. Les is a member of Beta Boule, Sigma Pi Phi fraternity and resides outside of Chicago in Winnetka, Illinois with his wife and two daughters. 

Chelsea Williams is a people enthusiast and a creative soul. Her unique skill set is informed by her colorful expressions in art as a commercial muralist and art instructor; and as a social media marketing expert. She has significant experience developing engaging and compelling content across multiple media platforms. 

Chelsea is a native of the Caribbean islands. She was born in St. John’s, USVI and grew up in Dominica. Though she migrated to the United States in 2006, she maintains rich ties to her West Indian heritage. 

Chelsea credits her deep connection to her cultural roots for her ability to be wildly imaginative. If asked, or if you’ve ever been a client, she will tell you that her creative expressions are guided by the essence of her soul. Her social media skills range from writing content, creating graphic work, self-publishing and acquiring backlinks, all valuable tools used in managing a successful boost in online presence. 

Her demonstration of various online marketing skills help clients to distribute across different online platforms to reach strategic audiences or target markets. She is accustomed to creating different types of content such as infographics, social media posts, webinars, videos, and blogs. 

In addition to Chelsea’s well structured life as an entrepreneur she maintains presence and supports others in their quest to find connectivity, individuality, and peace as a spiritual coach. She is a certified Reiki, and Feng Shui Practitioner, the effectiveness of these practices is widely known antidotes for maintaining Stress-free living. She practices her work in her spare time under the guidance of Pure U Coaching, Dr. Karen E Wells and Soulremember Academy. 

As a people enthusiast, her attention to detail, organization, and ability to listen and interpret the needs of her clients allows her to excel at customer relations.

INTRODUCTION 

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; migrated to St. Croix at age of seven with her parents who both created their own successful businesses. Received formal education in the USVI. Fluent in English and Spanish. Since 2015, has run a successful clothing store in the Dominican community on St. Croix. 

EDUCATION 

Manor School, St. Croix, VI, High School Diploma, 06/2013 

Army Basic Training, Fort Jackson, SC, 10/2013 

University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix VI, Pursuing Associates Degree in Business Administration, 01/2017 – Present 

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY 

A committed case manager who has the tendency to see complex tasks through to resolution and the ability to coordinate the care and support of others; acts with great agility in moving between activities and areas of focus. Strong ability to work towards reporting deadlines with accuracy. Has spent 6 years as a Suicide Prevention Manager at Dynamic Systems Technology. Served for six years as a Computer Maintenance Repair specialist for the US Virgin Islands National Guard. 

Notable Certifications: 

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - Certification 09/2018. Ask –Care- Escort (ACE) training - Certification 01/2019. 

Combat Life Saver (CLS) - Certified, 03/2015 

Advanced Individual Training, Fort Gordon GA, Computer/Detection Systems Repairer Certificate 

Notable Accomplishments: 

Ordered for Territorial Active Duty during hurricanes Maria and Erma - 2017 Recognized for assisting in establishing communication for the Virgin Islands after storms. Selected to assist with the reimaging and quarantine of over 200 laptops for the Virgin Islands National Guard. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE 

Performed community service with the National Parks Service; repairing the boundaries that outlined the various trails, on the island of St. John U.S.V.I. 

Internship at the USVI Legislature Building (St. Croix) in the office of Sen. Alicia “Chucky” Hansen supporting various administrative duties and tasks assigned. 

University of the Virgin Islands. Participated in a beach cleanup volunteer initiative.