THE SOMMERSET Suite at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, New Kingston, was decorated in red and white to house DHL Worldwide Express' cocktail reception in honour of Peter Davies, chief operations officer of DHL Worldwide Express. He was in the island on a one-day visit to DHL Jamaica Ltd.
DHL began in 1969 when Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn started an air courier service, DHL, between San Francisco and Honolulu. Now DHL has services in more than 220 countries worldwide. Jamaica was added to the list 12 years ago.
Photos of DHL's carriers were mounted on easels around the room where the company's executives in Jamaica and some valued costumers met in recognition of DHL's services in Jamaica.
Marlene Virgo, general manager, DHL Jamaica Ltd., said her company had been very successful because of the "strong leadership at the top".
In addition, Mr. Davies said "Jamaica forms a very important part of the DHL network".
Guest speaker at the reception, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Technology, Colin Campbell, spoke highly of DHL's service in Jamaica. He said Jamaica had an advantage because of its geographic location and as being the third largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean.
The small gathering included Father Richard Ho Lung, who said the opening prayer and received a January 1, 2001 sponsorship commitment from Miss Virgo. She said it would go towards paying a well-needed in-house nurse for Father Ho Lung's Missionaries of the Poor operations.
Rafael Couttolenc, DHL's area manager for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and Neil O'Sullivan, DHL's Caribbean area director, formed part of the visiting team. They received gifts of Jamaican rum and cigar from DHL Jamaica Ltd.
Beautiful background music was provided by Mallory Williams on keyboard and Tony 'Mean' Greene on saxophone.
Guests were invited to stay and mingle.
