Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Ruth Potopsingh - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Her soft, high-pitched voice is reflective of her petite frame, but her job and achievements are on a mammoth scale. Ruth Potopsingh was appointed group managing director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) on January 1. Having been with the company for 19 years, she has spent the last 9 years as deputy group managing director.
EXPERIENCE
Mrs. Potopsingh has a wealth of experience garnered over the years in planning and development. She was responsible for driving research in biomass and solar energy and spearheading the development and implementation of the PCJ Group's Strategic Human Resources Management Plan and the National Energy Efficiency Unit.
She also has many years experience as a senior manager for the Town & Planning Department and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute.
Behind these mammoth responsibilities is the bubbling personality of an energetic lady who loves what she does. "I believe you should enjoy what you do and I enjoy what I do. I enjoy a challenge. It's a challenging job - decision- making, prioritising; but I do
enjoy it. I believe you should enjoy whatever you're doing whether it's pleasant or not."
Potopsingh notes that what she loves most about her job is seeing plans being implemented. "I like the holistic approach to see the plan implemented and it's not all technical, but interacting with people, reaching consensus on issues. That things are done in the most environmentally friendly way it's not a paper job".
Potopsingh has always loved nature. Flowers, taking nature walks, watching the sunset. Growing up in Westmoreland, she would go to the beach every Sunday after church. "Having loved geography all my life I think influenced my career choice. Just a fascinating subject."
After receiving her bachelors degree in geography from the University of the West Indies, she went on to a gain a diploma in education. She then went to London where she received a Masters of Science degree in urban development planning from the University College of London and an executive
masters in business administra-tion from the Mona School of Business, University of the West Indies. She recently concluded her doctoral studies on "Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Lessons from their Implementation in the Caribbean" at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
FAITH IN GOD
With all her numerous achievements and vast responsibilities, Potopsingh has maintained her faith in God. A Christian for 21 years Potopsingh notes, "I'm not dependent only on my personal achievement and skills, I'm dependent on Jesus. It makes me better able to make better decisions and I have a lot of peace and confidence in making decisions. They are not only for personal gain but for the greater good." She notes that being a Christian makes you less selfish. "You're not as self-centred. It's not about self I've always remarked to my superiors that my desire is for the development of the Jamaican people and staff development".
THE POTOPSINGH FAMILY
Mrs. Potopsingh has been married to attorney-at-law William Potopsingh for 28 years. They met at the University of the West Indies where they were both on Irvin Hall. Her cheeks become plum red as she tries not to speak too much of him but the far off look in her eyes betray her thoughts of years when it seem they couldn't live without each other. "He's the perfect choice," she almost whispered 'girlishly'.
Her children Narish and Nisha are currently studying mechanical engineering and
bio-chemistry respectively in New York.
FIDEL CASTRO
Mrs. Potopsingh describes Cuban President Fidel Castro as one of the most interesting persons she's ever met. In November 2005 she met him on a visit to Cuba with Minister of Commerce Science and Technology. "A most engaging person. Spent 51/2 hours in dialogue with him. He's very sharp, I was so impressed by his consciousness and love for people"
ENERGY VISION
Potosingh's vision for Jamaica is an increased use of renewable energy. She notes that the time has come for other alternatives to be seriously pursued; these include: solar, wind and biomass. "We have a great opportunity for solar generated electricity we have an abundance of sunshine. My wish is that we all become more conscious of the wasteful ways we use energy. Turn off lights when not in use. Don't leave your tap running as everydrop of water that comes from your tap is pumped; that's immediate and something that even a small child can do.
Giant steps include the business community investing in alternative energy. The use of sugar cane, potential in ethanol production. We use too much energy for residential use that's not nationally or regionally sustainable.
My hope for Jamaica is that by 2010, 10 per cent of our energy consumption will be renewable sources hopefully we will reach this before."
For more on Potopsingh and other phenomenal women in Jamaica see our special issue, Phenomenal Women' on Wednesday International Women's Day.
