President

Leon Hughes is the President of the Board of the U.S. Virgin Islands Lacrosse Association and a native Virgin Islander whose leadership is grounded in a lifelong commitment to the Territory’s youth, economy, and community. A former U.S. Navy Sonar Technician Surface, he brings operational discipline and calm, high-stakes decision-making experience to his role guiding USVI Lacrosse’s vision, governance, and growth.​​

 Professionally, Hughes is the Founder and CEO of NEARiX, a St. Croix–based technology and data services firm recognized as Business of the Year and honored with a congressional mention for its impact on innovation and economic development in the Virgin Islands. His work building a globally competitive, locally anchored tech company reflects the same strategic planning, accountability, and investment in local talent that he champions within USVI Lacrosse.​

Hughes’ connection to the sport is deeply personal: he was an inaugural sponsor and donor of USVI Lacrosse, and both of his sons played on the inaugural national team, with his youngest still competing for the men’s national team today. This dual perspective as a parent and leader drives his focus on transparent, inclusive governance and on building pathways from grassroots play to international competition for boys and girls across all islands.​​

Beyond lacrosse, Hughes serves as Vice Chair of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, Strategic Committee Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, and an Advisory Board member of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center. Across these roles, he uses data-driven strategy, cross-sector collaboration, and a deep belief in Virgin Islands talent to create programs that expand opportunity, strengthen the local economy, and position USVI Lacrosse as a source of pride on the global stage. 

Tom Guthrie has enjoyed living on St. Croix for 3.5 decades.  For 25 years he was the Race Director for the St. Croix Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, long considered one of the most prestigious events in the world of multi-sport.  He also spent a term as Vice President of the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and 10 years as President of the VI Cycling Federation. 

Presently, he is on the Board of the USVI Lacrosse Association. He has attended multiple Olympic, Pan American and Central American and Caribbean Games.  He has also represented the Virgin Islands at International Conferences for Cycling, Triathlon and Lacrosse.

Vice President (STT)

Treasurer

Jennie is a native of Basking Ridge, New Jersey but splits time between the northeast and St Thomas in the Virgin Islands. She graduated from Salve Regina University in 2013 with her bachelors degree in criminal justice and in 2016 with her masters degree in cyber security. Jennie played lacrosse all four years of college at the D3 level including two years at Fairleigh Dickinson University prior to transferring to Salve Regina. Jennie was recently inducted into the Fairleigh Dickinson University Hall of Fame for her contributions to the 2010 Women's Lacrosse Team.

Jennie continues to be passionate about the role sport has played in her life and is a current player for the United States Virgin Islands Women’s lacrosse team. In addition to competing at the highest level of the sport, Jennie also gives back to the youth, coaching both high school and middle school lacrosse for elite teams in the Northeast. Outside of playing and coaching lacrosse, Jennie is a senior employee benefits consultant at Alera Group working with corporate clients to manage their healthcare spend.

General Secretary

Anjali Coryat serves as the General Secretary of the US Virgin Islands Lacrosse Association and plays on the USVI Women’s National Team. A Long Island native with roots in St. Thomas, Dominica, and Trinidad, Anjali made the transition to lacrosse after a decade of elite soccer and swimming training, eventually playing varsity lacrosse at Lake Nona High School. She returned to the sport as a coach in 2022 and has since worked with Heroes Lacrosse, Storm Lacrosse, the Sanford Bats Lacrosse Program, and the Seminole High School girl’s lacrosse team.

A graduate of the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar program, Anjali is committed to growing lacrosse in Central Florida while expanding opportunities and representation for youth, women and Caribbean athletes within the global lacrosse community. Anjali is excited to use her experience in communication to help the USVILA create more positive opportunities for Virgin Islanders. 

Executive Director

 As the founding member, Rich brings 30 years of sports leadership and administrative experience to USVI Lacrosse. In 2019 he established a board of directors and incorporated the U.S. Virgin Islands Lacrosse Association as 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. He began his career coaching lacrosse, swimming and water polo at Canterbury School in Connecticut, and has gone on to coach at every level from youth to international. He served on the staff of the Ireland Men's National team from 2014-2018. His record includes 9 international victories as a head coach and a 5-3 mark as an assistant coach at the 2018 World Championships in Netanya, Israel.

 Rich is currently an ASCA level 3 professional swim coach with the Westport Water Rats, where he has developed multiple nationally ranked swimmers, including the current 3rd ranked 14U 200 Breaststroker in the USA. Prior to Westport, Carter coached the St. Croix Dolphins and later went on to serve as President of the St. Croix Swimming Association board of directors. During his time on St. Croix, Rich also served as the Athletic Director at The Good Hope School from 2006-2010. As a young athlete, Carter was an All-American in swimming and All-New England selection in lacrosse. He went on to become a Division I defenseman at Villanova University. Rich and his wife Regina reside in Rye Brook, NY.