Ralph Moses Paiewonsky

Ralph Moses Paiewonsky (born November 9, 1907 in Saint Thomas , US Virgin Islands , †  November 19, 1991 ibid) was an American politician . Between 1961 and 1969 he was Governor of the US Virgin Islands.

Career

Ralph Paiewonsky studied chemistry at New York University until 1930 . He then worked in his home country together with his father in his father's shops, which consisted of a pharmacy, a grocery store and a rum distillation facility. He first expanded the business and later sold the distillery. He turned the shop into a gift shop. In 1954 he founded the West Indies Bank and Trust Company . Politically, he became a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1940 and 1960 he was a delegate to the respective Democratic National Conventions . At times he was also a member of the Democratic National Committee .

In 1961, Paiewonsky was appointed new governor of the Virgin Islands to succeed John David Merwin . He held this office between April 5, 1961 and February 12, 1969. He founded his own Ministry of Construction and launched a program for the construction of homes. About 8,000 new homes were built in his area during his time as governor. He also promoted education and was instrumental in founding the University of the Virgin Islands in 1962 . Until his death he was on the board of directors of this university. He died on November 19, 1991 in Saint Thomas.

Web links

• National Governors Association