Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – August 20, 2021 – Wayne L. Biggs, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority, issues the following statement on the passing of Netfa “Tafa” Romain:
"The VIEDA team and I join the U.S. Virgin Islands community in expressing our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Netfa “Tafa” Romain. We are saddened to learn of this sudden loss of a true ambassador of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Netfa was an individual who thrived locally as a journalist at TV2 and created his own media platforms to widely share compelling stories with the world about talented U.S. Virgin Islanders. These stories resonated the message that individuals who come from small locations - such as the U.S. Virgin Islands - can make tremendous and positive impacts around the world.
Netfa also possessed a unique way of balancing a life on the mainland while remaining connected to America’s paradise. His work ethic, professionalism, personable nature, creativity and passion for capturing the essence of the U.S. Virgin Islands became more evident when he partnered with the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority to produce promotional videos in 2017 highlighting each VIEDA entity and the V.I. Economic Development Commission’s Eligible V.I. Supplier Program.
In 2018, Netfa also worked with the VIEDA team to produce its video for an “Open for Business” campaign following the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The VIEDA team and I are grateful for the opportunity to work with him.
May Netfa’s family, friends and colleagues find comfort in their remembrance of him and the collection of work he produced to reflect the best of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The VIEDA team and I will miss him greatly and will remember him fondly as an incredibly talented individual and a true ambassador of the U.S. Virgin Islands."