John de Jongh Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John de Jongh
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| 7th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands | |
| In office January 1, 2007 – January 5, 2015 |
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| Lieutenant | Gregory Francis |
| Preceded by | Charles W. Turnbull |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Mapp |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Percy de Jongh Jr.
November 13, 1957 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cecile Galiber |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Antioch College (BA) |
John Percy de Jongh Jr. (born November 13, 1957) is an American businessman and politician. He served as the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 2007 to 2015.
De Jongh has been active in the Virgin Islands since he finished college in 1981. He worked in business, helped with community projects, and served in government roles. He was also elected to public office.
In 2002, de Jongh ran for governor as an independent candidate. He came in second place. In 2006, he ran again as a Democratic Party candidate. He won the election and became governor. He was re-elected in 2010 and served until January 5, 2015.
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Early Life and Education
John de Jongh was born and grew up on St. Thomas. As a child, he went to Sts. Peter and Paul School there. Later, he lived in Detroit, Michigan, with his mother and two brothers. His mother worked for the Detroit Public Schools.
During summer breaks, de Jongh would return to St. Thomas. He helped at his father's law firm. He graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1976.
After high school, he attended Antioch College in Ohio. While in college, he had jobs in different cities like Detroit and Houston. He also studied urban development and traveled to other countries. He earned a degree in economics from Antioch College in 1981.
Business Career
After college, de Jongh moved back to the Virgin Islands. He worked for a group that helped develop the economy. He also helped get money to save old, important buildings.
Later, he joined Chase Manhattan Bank. He worked in Puerto Rico and then returned to the Virgin Islands. He became a manager for consumer banking in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Under his leadership, the bank focused more on helping individuals with loans.
In 1987, Governor Alexander A. Farrelly appointed de Jongh as Commissioner of Finance. This was his first government job. His grandfather, Percy de Jongh, had also held this position. He helped manage the territory's money and improve its economy.
De Jongh also worked as an assistant to the governor. He helped different government groups work better together. In 1992, he left government work and went back to private business. He joined Lockhart Companies Incorporated, a real estate and insurance company. He was the president and CEO there until 2002.
He also worked as a consultant, helping cities like Philadelphia plan their finances. From 1999 to 2001, he was president of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce. He also led a group that created a financial plan for the Virgin Islands government.
In 2002, de Jongh left Lockhart Companies to run for governor. He focused on improving education, the economy, and healthcare. After the election, in 2003, he started his own financial advisory firm called Chilmark Partners.
Political Career
In 2005, people thought de Jongh was a strong candidate for governor. In 2006, he ran as a Democrat. He won the Democratic Party primary election. He then won the governorship in a runoff election against Kenneth Mapp.
De Jongh became the 7th elected Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands on January 1, 2007. His government worked on improving early childhood education. They also created the Children and Families Council. He sought partnerships with cruise lines and airlines to boost tourism. He also worked to reduce the territory's reliance on fossil fuels.
In 2010, de Jongh and his Lieutenant Governor, Gregory Francis, ran for a second term. They won the Democratic primary election. They then won the general election on November 2, 2010. They received over 56% of the votes. De Jongh defeated Kenneth Mapp again in this election.
De Jongh served until January 5, 2015, when his term ended. During his second term, his administration completed a fiber optic network. They also helped implement Medicaid expansion as part of the Affordable Care Act. His team also managed the effects of the Hovensa oil refinery closing on St. Croix.
After Being Governor
After leaving office, de Jongh continued to be involved in business. In December 2016, he joined the board of directors at Altisource Asset Management Corporation. He also works as a leader at Chilmark Investment Partners, LLC. In October 2021, de Jongh was appointed to the UVI Board of Trustees.
Personal Life
John de Jongh married Cecile René Galiber in 1986. They have three children together.
Images for kids
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John de Jongh
See also
In Spanish: John de Jongh para niños
