Terrence Brooks, new operations manager for the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) Recruiting Centre, is committed and focused on the task.

It's all in the family. Terrence Brooks' father, Rudolph, also known as 'Branx', spent 42 years at Port Bustamante. A legend at the port, Rudolph Brooks led a gang of workers called 'Warriors', the fastest group when it came to discharging cargo at Port Bustamante.

Terrence's brother, Roy, was a crane operator with the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) and his cousin, Steve, also works as a winch operator with SAJ.

So, for Terrence, it was natural for him to gravitate towards the waterfront. He started out as a recruiting clerk in August 1995.

In 2006, Brooks' career at the SAJ blossomed. He was promoted to recruiting supervisor and then to senior operations officer. By October 2007, he was put in charge of the SAJ's Recruiting Centre and, in August 2008, was confirmed as operations manager for the centre, the highest position ever attained by the child of a port worker.

Rights of workers

His father had advocated the rights of workers and, while Terrence never took the same route, his position allows him to make a difference, not just in promoting the rights of workers, but to make a positive contribution to the improvement of their welfare.

"I understand the complex psyche of the SAJ worker and that understanding gives me the ability to relate effectively to them and to address their needs," Brooks said.

He pointed out that a part of his mission is to improve communication between the workforce and management.

Additionally, he intends to formulate initiatives that will effect positive changes in the lives of each individual employed, one example being a fund for the casual employees - funded by them.

Most recently, he spearheaded the set-up of a computer room for the stevedores to access the internet and improve their computer skills.

As the new operations manager, Brooks has his vision clearly outlined for the department.

"I want to see an effective, cohesive and high-performing operations department that stands on its own - a realignment from under human resources. A department that manages for the SAJ, all the different categories of workers operating at Port Bustamante."

His vision and commitment are what caught the eyes of senior management and led to his rise through the organisation.

Commenting on his appointment, Brooks expressed his gratitude to former operations manager, Basil Downer, general manager, Trevor Riley and human resource and development manager Diana Reynolds for their mentoring over the years and the confidence shown in his abilities. Additionally, he credits his excellent staff.

Above call of duty

According to SAJ general manager, Trevor Riley, "Terrence Brooks is a fine example of an employee, who goes above and beyond the call of duty to achieve the objectives of the organisation with which he works. He has never been limited by a job description. He sees a job and gets it done. Even before he was promoted to supervisor, he was taking on responsibilities normally undertaken by someone more senior. I am very proud that he has attained this position at this particular time when we are trying to demonstrate to the workforce that our organisation presents a viable career path for persons who are committed and focused."

Brooks's academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in business administration (University College of the Caribbean); certification from the Vocational Training Development Institute; certification in supervisory management from University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies and certification in industrial relations from the Jamaica Employers' Federation.

Ambassador Stewart Stephenson (left), outgoing president of the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) and Michael Bernard (right), president of the SAJ, share a moment of joy with members of the Cavalier football team, which won the shipping industry-sponsored KSAFA Under-15 football competition for the Winston Chung Fah Trophy. Cavalier beat Boys' Town 4-2 on penalties to win the title.