Fredis Refunjol
| His Excellency Fredis Refunjol | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Fredis Refunjol in 2015 | |
| 3rd Governor of Aruba | |
|
In office 1 May 2004 – 31 December 2016 | |
| Monarch |
Beatrix Willem-Alexander |
| Prime Minister |
Nelson Oduber Mike Eman |
| Preceded by | Olindo Koolman |
| Succeeded by | Alfonso Boekhoudt |
| Member of the Estates | |
|
In office 1986–1989 | |
|
In office 1994–2001 | |
| Minister of Welfare | |
|
In office 1989–1994 | |
| Minister of Education and Administrative Affairs | |
|
In office 2001–2004 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Fredis Jose Refunjol 19 December 1950 Oranjestad, Aruba, Netherlands Antilles |
| Political party | People's Electoral Movement (1983–2004) |
| Spouse(s) | Clarette Lopez |
| Children | 3 |
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|---|
| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Aruba |
Fredis Jose Refunjol (born 19 December 1950) is an Aruban politician and former Governor of Aruba. Originally a teacher, he has served as a government official for the past twenty years, starting as a Member of the Estates of Aruba.
Early life
Fredis Jose Refunjol was born in Oranjestad on the island of Aruba in the Netherlands Antilles on 19 December 1950.[1]
Refunjol received his Higher Elementary Education (mulo) diploma in 1968 and his Senior General Secondary Education (havo) diploma in 1973. Three years later, in 1973, he graduated from the Aruba Teacher-Training Academy and was certified as a teacher.[1]
Upon graduation, he secured employment at the Heilig Hart College in Savaneta as a teacher. He taught for eight years before being promoted to Principal in 1981.[1]
Politics
In 1983, after working two years as a teacher, Refunjol joined the People's Electoral Movement (MEP). The next year he became the party's vice president, holding that position until 1987, when he was named as the party Secretary General (effective 1988).[1]
While serving as party vice president, he stood as a candidate in Aruba's first parliamentary elections in 1986, where he was elected to the Estates of Aruba.[1]
In 1989, he was the informateur (politician who investigates on behalf of the Crown whether a proposed cabinet formation will succeed) during both the formation of the first cabinet of Prime Minister Nelson Oduber (Oduber I) and that of a second cabinet (Oduber II) formed in 1993. After the first cabinet was formed, he was named Minister of Welfare, serving until the MEP lost at the polls in 1994.[1]
During the Government of Henny Eman (1994–2001), he reverted to his original role as a member of the Estates.[1]
After seven year in the opposition MEP won the 2001 elections, after which Refunjol served as formateur for the third cabinet of Oduber (Oduber III). In Oduber III, he was named Minister of Education and Administrative Affairs, in addition to becoming Vice Prime Minister.[1]
In 2004, the term of Governor Olindo Koolman expired. As he had already served two terms, he was not reappointed by Her Majesty the Queen. Due to the extent of his government experience, Refunjol was appointed to the vacant post, assuming the office of Governor on 1 May 2004.[1] When nominated, he enjoyed the unanimous support of the Aruban Parliament during deliberations on his candidacy. As a result of the nonpolitical nature of his office, he was required to resign from the MEP and from the Estates immediately upon taking office and is barred from political action until his service as Governor is complete.
On 8 December 2016 Refunjol was promoted to Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau.[2]
Personal life
He is married to Clarette Maria de Lourdes Refunjol-Lopez. Together they have two daughters (Cheryl and Zanette) and one son (Fredis).[1]
See also
References
External links
- Official website
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Olindo Koolman |
Governor of Aruba 2004–2016 |
Succeeded by Alfonso Boekhoudt |