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12 Jamaicans Honoured in Miami

May 31, 2007

The Full Story

Twelve Jamaican nationals received milestone awards at the second annual recognition luncheon of the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce (JAUSACC), on May 25 at the Signature Grand.
A special trailblazer award was presented to Jamaican national and aviator, Captain Barrington Irving, Jr., who is nearing completion of his mission to be the youngest and first black pilot to fly solo around the world.
Awards were presented to Ann John-Latimer, real estate and construction agent; Brenda Forrest, in the area of social services, for her active involvement in the Caribbean Heart Menders Association; Inez Grant, owner of Aunt I’s Restaurant, and Judy Jackson of Coast to Coast Healthcare Solutions Incorporated. Other awards went to Neville Stewart of Starbank Financial Incorporated; Earl Christian of E.C. Worldwide Travel; Desmond Miles of the Mighty Vikings Band, for entertainment and culture; Joseph Rhoden of Antilles Freight Corporation, for trade and cargo; Tyrone Robertson of Caribbean Marketing and Media Corporation, and Mike Owens and Omahar Stephenson of Business Events Magazine; Commissioner Winston Barnes of the City of Miramar, and Commissioner Hazelle Rogers of Lauderdale Lakes, for community leadership.
Guest speaker at the awards ceremony, Ray Chang, Chancellor of Ryerson University, Canada, lauded the recipients for their outstanding achievements in their respective professions.
Mr. Chang, who is also a Jamaican national, praised Jamaicans for their resilience and tenacity, noting that they made a difference wherever they go.
Chairman of one of Canada’s largest investment companies, CI Financial, Mr. Chang, commended the recipients for their accomplishments, despite the competition and adversities they encounter in their respective communities and professions.
People, he said, were the most important ingredients in any form of business, and urged the audience to continue to apply a positive attitude, skills and training, as the end result to success was a solid education.
Regarding the development of the Jamaican economy, Mr. Chang noted that manufacturing was crucial to the nation’s development. In that regard, he reiterated the need to be innovative, creative and to keep abreast of information and technology.
He cited the numerous opportunities as well as the potential for growth in Jamaica. He appealed to the audience to take advantage of the country’s strengths and build on them. Some of these, he indicated, were evident in the physical location, which was ideal for business and tourism, the port facilities, and human resources, among others.
The awards ceremony followed a two-day trade expo -‘Buy Jamaican, Brand We Love’ – at which more than 60 manufacturers, buyers, distributors, retailers and promoters of Jamaican goods and services, as well as local US companies showcased their products in the US marketplace.
The expo was launched by Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Phillip Paulwell, and was co-ordinated jointly by the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce in Florida and the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association.
Other Jamaican service organizations that participated in the expo included Jamaica Trade and Invest (formerly JAMPRO), the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC), the Jamaica Tourist Board, and Air Jamaica Limited.

Last Updated: May 31, 2007

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