Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Lola Fong-Wright, chief executive officer of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), presents Beverley Lopez, immediate past president of the PSOJ, with a commemorative clock. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Beverley Lopez may be small in size, but her achievements as president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) stand tall.

And if there were ever any doubts in her mind, they were erased on Thursday night as numerous members of the PSOJ turned out at the Terra Nova Hotel to fte the woman whose leadership, though different, effected change.

Men clad in business suits and women in their cocktail dresses filled the venue with laughter and chatter while they sipped wine. All this stopped when the lady of the hour entered.

Mrs. Lopez, her cheeks flushed, received kisses and hugs too many to number. Newly appointed president of the PSOJ, Christopher Zacca, welcomed the guests to the

Jamaica Public Service Company-sponsored event, and thanked Mrs. Lopez for the many lessons she taught him.

"She has been a tower of strength for me especially in the run for the PSOJ presidency," he said.

He added that she put her stamp on 'woman time now' long before it became a fashionable statement.

A shower of tributes followed.

Honorary secretary of the PSOJ, William McConnell praised Mrs. Lopez for her work with the Economic Policy Committee, her support for the standing committee on National Security, her stance in the Stand for Jamaica Rally in 2005, which led to initiatives such as the Political Code of Conduct, Reclaim Jamaica Crime Forum and the Jamaica Crime Fund.

"I have always admired her very practical and down to earth approach to whatever she does ...," he added stating that he will miss her at the helm of the organisation.

Roy Barnrsee, on behalf of the members of the PSOJ, lauded Mrs Lopez for her leadership skills that steered the PSOJ during a time of political change in Jamaica.

"She always kept her calm ... this kind of calm was new to the PSOJ, but it was effective, and I compliment her for this," he said.

As the accolades flowed, Mrs, Lopez was humble her smile never faded.

Chief Executive Officer of the PSOJ Lola Fong-Wright on behalf of the staff, saluted Mrs Lopez for her outstanding work that was never, "half-hearted."

"She never played the gender card but always said, I am doing my job," she revealed.

Mrs. Lopez was graceful in her acceptance of the many compliments she received.

"I am overwhelmed this evening ... I am grateful and moved by your attendance," she told the guests.

She thanked former presidents of the PSOJ, Oliver Clarke and Peter Moses, for the support they offered during her tenure as president of the organisation.

Reflecting on the time, she said, "My tenure was both a learning and at times gratifying one , however there were times when I truly felt alone ...," she said.

Mrs. Lopez was presented with the PSOJ clock, a framed media advertisement and a framed collage.

Among those who celebrated with Mrs Lopez were: Ryland Campbell; Senator Trevor Macmillan; Earl Jarrett; Senator Norman Grant; Joseph A. Matalon; Cliff Hughes: JPSCO's Damian Obligio and Tony Wray; Richard Chen; J. Lester Spaulding; Dr. Karl Wright (VMBS); Digicel's David Hall; Red Stripe's Mark McKenzie; Don Webby; Charles Ross; Keith Duncan; Ken Arthur Mitchell; Charles Ross; Maureen Webber and Errol Edwards.