The island's investment and export promotion agency, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), honoured 27 of its staff members who gave a combined total of 397 years to the organisation, on November 12.
Chairman of the board of directors, Joseph A. Matalon, used the occasion to report that 95 per cent of its clients would recommend its services to others in similar industries. He pointed out that "Despite a contraction in staff in 2003, JAMPRO has managed to consistently exceed its operational targets and has maintained an enviable record of achieving exceedingly high
levels of customer satisfaction."
meeting job demands
This sentiment was echoed by Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson, who said the employees at JAMPRO were dedicated enough to make the sacrifices required to meet the demands of the job.
JAMPRO also used the opportunity to highlight the contribution of president Patricia Francis, who has served the organisation for just over 10 years; and Veniece Pottinger, who has served the organisation for 20 years; and to celebrate their recent international appointments.
In June, 2006, Mrs. Francis will take up the position of executive director of the International Trade Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, while Mrs. Pottinger has been appointed assistant secretary-general, head of the Department of Development Finance and Intra-ACP Programming with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. She will take up her position next month.
The longest-serving member of staff honoured was Kathleen Richards, who has been with the organisation since 1978. Her citation read, "A competent worker, she exuded utmost professionalism in executing her duties and has established
exemplary standards for those working with and around her."
Entertainment was provided by well known Jamaican basss
player and vocalist, Benjy Myaz, who serenaded the awardees with Dreamin and other songs from his latest CD/Album, Long Story Short.
