Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer 
(From left) Senator Noel Sloley, Air Jamaica's new Chief Executive Officer, Mike Conway, and regional sales manager Parsha Buddho enjoy a light moment with Ritz-Carlton's interim general manager Franz Freschke, during a welcome reception in Spring Farm, Rose Hall, on Thursday night. – Janet Silvera Photo
WESTERN BUREAU:
SENATOR NOEL Sloley and his wife Sharon opened their Mediterranean-style mansion to host a welcome reception for Air Jamaica's new Chairman O.K. Melhado and chief executive officer, airline veteran Michael Conway, on Thursday night.
The Sloleys' invitation list included an intimate select group of powerbrokers anxious to meet the fresh team of experts prepared to accomplish the mandate of the national carrier.
Guests were welcomed by waiters and waitresses holding trays with red and white wine and an array of other mixtures, complemented by tastefully presented smoked marlin on toast, stuffed mussels and jerked chicken sauté.
As exciting and scintillating as the hors d'oeuvres were, all eyes stayed glued to the entrance of the house for the arrival of the men of the moment.
AIR OF PLEASURE
At about 8:00 p.m. when they arrived with the senator, an atmosphere of pleasure enveloped the foyer. While Mr Conway was new on the scene, Mr. Melhado seemed quite at ease, recognising some old acquaintances.
The two had met with the Air Jamaica staff earlier that day at both Norman Manley and Sangster international airports.
"I am so excited, I met several hundred employees and their enthusiasm was very infectious," said the CEO, who officially takes up his new position on November 1. "Their warmth, hospitality and enthusiasm were very motivating," he told The Sunday Gleaner.
Having spent the last 35 years in the airline industry Mike Conway's adrenaline was pumping as he shook hand after hand of the members of the western Jamaica networking team.
RITZ TEAM ON HAND
The Ritz-Carlton team of Franz Freschke, Bernd Kuhlen and Verona Rutty was on hand, and so was the Rose Development crew of Andy Fitzroy and Dan Stanberry. Also there were MBJ Airports Limited's Jorge Sales, his wife Adela and Mike Kandert; Half Moon's Richard Whitfield, Peter Kellond and wife Karlene; Air Jamaica's Parsha Buddho, Sue Rosen and Desmond Reeves.
Montego Bay's own 'governor' Lloyd B. Smith took a night out, National Honours recipient, Josef Forstmayr, travel specialists, Lorna Pitter and Vee Redpath, foundation members Sheila and Tony Hart, Chamber of Commerce President Mark and wife Paula Kerr Jarrett, Klaus and Atrida Peter, Elisabeth and Heinz Simonitsch, attorney Gordon Brown, Aroon Dadlani, Ian Kerr and Jamaica Hotel and Tourist association President Horace and wife Dominique Peterkin also made up the list.
