Enrique “Rico” Corneiro is a 6th generation Virgin Islander dating back to the late 1700’s. As an author and historian, he has written 8 books about Virgin Islands history ad culture. His books include: The Danish West Indies in Black and White, Runaway Virgins: Danish West Indian Slave Ads, Virgin Islands Bay Rum, Passports from Paradise, Rescuing Virgins, The Legend of Cowfoot Woman, The Coal Women of St. Thomas and Virgin Islands Storytellers. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of Oklahoma. He is also an 8-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he worked as an air traffic controller and noncommissioned officer in charge of the Base Honor Guard program. He currently lives in Houston Texas where he is a member of the Houston Virgin Islands Association (HVIA). As a member of HVIA, he was very instrumental in having the Mayor of Houston dedicate March 31st as Houston Virgin Islands Association Day in the city of Houston.
Like many, he returns home to the Virgin Islands each year to visit family and friends. Nearing retirement, He is now in the process of purchasing a home in the Virgin Islands so that he can be closer to home and better give back to hiscommunity. We are pleased to have him as a member of the Board of the Society and willing to share his collection of historical artifacts with us tonight.