GB Chamber installation banquet on February 18th, 2012. Front: The Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson, Mr. K. Peter Turnquest, Mrs. Leigh Termath, Mrs. Tanya Carey, Mrs. Lisa Turnquest, Prime Minister, Mr. John Swain, Mr. Tony Lopez, Mr. Wayne Russell
Back: Mr. Charles Pratt, Mr. Ivan Chestnut, Mr. Terrance Carey
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Freeport, Grand Bahama –
Under the theme, ‘
Reset,
Restart, and Restore’; Mr.
John Swain, Senior Manager of Deloitte, was officially installed as
President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce.
It was evening set
with much pomp and pageantry as the Grand Bahama business community
converged on the ballroom of the Grand Lucayan in support of the new
President and the Board of Directors of the Grand Bahama Chamber of
Commerce.
Prime Minister the
Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham also showed his support of the Grand Bahama
business community as he extended congratulations to the President and
the Board of Directors during the Jazz and Art Welcome Reception.
According to the incoming
President, he is of the view that the economy of Grand Bahama will get
better and that things will turn around; but we can’t wait for this
to come to us – we have to be proactive and productive. ‘We cannot
allow the times we live in to define us, we have to define the times!”
Mr. Swain further stated in the coming months, the agenda will include
initiatives that will spur economic growth and provide opportunities
for new businesses. The Chamber is currently working to strengthen our
small and medium size businesses providing funding through grant opportunities
which currently exists; as well as training and other resources. He
emphasized that Chamber is working closely with the Government of the
Bahamas and quasi-government authorities as the effort is made to address
the decline in our tourist sector. Additionally, the Chamber will be
working with the industrial sector to secure their presence on the island
and ensure that trade agreements address their interests and concerns.
He closed in stating that he is ready to work to see things change and
new things happen. He once again encouraged Grand Bahamians to Reset,
Restart and be Restored.
The installing officer,
immediate past President, Mr. K. Peter Turnquest, gave a timely charge
to the incoming officers to be committed to the task although it can
be challenging.
The evening’s power
speaker was Bahamian born and raised Mr. Fred Perpall, Managing Director
of the Beck Group in Atlanta. Mr. Perpall, who was recently name to
the 100 Black Men of Atlanta Inc., addressed the audience on current
trending in business. He explained the difference in the mentality of
entrepreneurs and investors and that the Grand Bahama community needs
both to thrive. He encouraged specialized services, niche markets and
having the right conversations to bring about the necessary changes
to grow the economy. He concluded by saying he sees a bright future
on the horizon for Grand Bahama.
The Installation banquet
was also graced by Mr. Winston Rolle, President of the Bahamas Chamber
of Commerce and other officials.
Amidst great prizes
and entertainment by the Grand Bahama Youth Choir, Raquel Oliver and
the Grand Bahama Police Pop band, the overriding message was one of
hope for growth of the Grand Bahama’s economy which is contingent
on the involvement of ALL to Reset, Restart and be Restored!
Board of Directors
2011- 2012
Mr. John Swain –
President
Mr. Tony Lopez –
1st Vice President
Mrs. Lisa G. Turnquest
– 2nd Vice President
Mr. Wayne Russell –
Treasurer
Mrs. Tanya Carey –
Secretary
Mrs. Donna Laing Jones
– Director
Mr. Christopher Baker
– Director
Mr. Terrance Carey
– Director
Mr. Ivan Chestnut –
Director
Ms. Raquel Beneby-Hart
– Director
Mr. Charles Pratt –
Director
Mr. Manuel Ruiz –
Director
Mrs. Leigh Termath
– Director
Mr. Randy Thompson
– Director
Mr. Jacy Whittaker
– Director
Mrs. Mercynth Ferguson
– Executive Director
The Grand Bahama Chamber
of Commerce is an action agency designed to meet community needs. It
is a voluntary organization of individuals and businesses that band
together to advance the commercial, financial, industrial, civic interests
of a community. It is a civic clearinghouse, public relations counselor,
a legislative representative at the local and national levels of government,
an information bureau and a research and promotion medium.
