Government Yet to Name Successor to Ian Pinard at DASPA

Barbara 12th June, 2026

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Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the process of selecting a new Chief Executive Officer for the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) has not yet formally begun, nearly two months after the passing of former CEO Ian Pinard.

Pinard died on April 17, 2026, after serving as head of the state-owned authority for just over a year. His death was widely regarded as a significant loss for the organisation and the wider public sector, where he had earned a reputation for leadership and public service.

Addressing questions on the matter, Prime Minister Skerrit indicated that responsibility for initiating the recruitment process rests primarily with the DASPA Board of Directors and the relevant ministry. He explained that those bodies will review the situation and provide recommendations before a final appointment is made.

“I leave it to the board and the ministry to examine this matter,” Skerrit said. “They will provide advice to me on this, and I will leave it to the board to start the process of identifying a CEO.”

The Prime Minister confirmed that no individual has been permanently identified for the position at this stage. However, he stressed that operational systems remain in place to ensure the continued management of the authority while the recruitment process unfolds.

According to Skerrit, the government recognises the challenge of replacing Pinard, “We recognise that losing Ian Pinard was a dramatic loss, and it will take us some time to fill that void,” the Prime Minister stated.

DASPA is responsible for managing the island’s ports of entry, making the position one of the most significant executive roles within the public sector. The authority plays a central role in transportation, trade, tourism and national infrastructure development.

While no timeline has been announced for the appointment of a new chief executive, Skerrit indicated that the matter will receive attention in the coming weeks as consultations continue between government officials and the authority’s governing board.