Left: President of the Montego Bay Chamber, Pauline Reid (left), must have said something as the Debra Wung (centre) the chamber's director of cruise shipping, and Andrea Bicknell, RBTT regional manager, could not contain their laughter. Right: Outgoing Chief Executive Officer Jorge Sales and wife Adela listen as president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, Pauline Reid, delivers a tribute him at the Three Palms Restaurant in Montego Bay on Tuesday, June 26. The occasion was an MBJ Airports Limited farewell ceremony in his and fellow colleague Fernando Carrandi's honour. - Photos by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

It was Shakespeare who said, "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow," and when it came to MBJ Airports Limited's farewell reception in honour of outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jorge Sales and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Fernando Carrandi, truer words have never been spoken.

The relaxing evening under the stars at the Three Palms Restaurant was tempered by a sense of loss as the colleagues and friends of Mr. Sales spoke of the relationship that blossomed among his team, the Montego Bay business community and himself when his team took over the management of the Sangster International Airport three years ago.

"It was a fantastic experience. He was a gentleman to the core, very gracious and fair," said his former assistant Safia Khan.

"With values such as integrity, honesty and transparency, he was a treasure. He will be missed."

One of the oft-repeated phrases throughout the night was just how open and willing Mr. Sales and his team were to the needs of the business sector. "They did not operate in a vacuum, they were known by everyone and made sure that they knew all the major players in the industry," one guest was overheard saying.

"He was very affable. We got on very well," said Montego Bay businessman Mark Kerr-Jarrett, former president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce.

"He was very businesslike and he intimated that he wanted to become a part of the community. He has fulfilled all of his promises and done a tremendous job. He will be missed."

Little overwhelmed

A little overwhelmed by the attendance and subsequent good wishes he received as he and his wife Adela worked the floor, Mr. Sales offered heartfelt thanks on behalf of himself, his wife and Mr. Carrandi.

"I will miss the people, the landscape and of course the nice food," Mr. Sales said. "I will miss all the communities and the group of friends who helped us to do our jobs."

Mr. Sales and his wife Adela will move to Guadalajara, Mexico, where he will take up management of 12 airports under Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP). Still a member of the MBJ Airports Limited board, he will fly to Jamaica every quarter to participate in meetings.

Among the guests were, Clarence Nelson - Custos of St. James; Senator Noel Sloley and his wife Sharron; Calvin Brown - Office of the Prime Minister; Valerie O'Brien; Mark Kerr-Jarrett - former president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, and his wife Paula; Pauline Reid - current chamber president; CEO Fernando Bosque - incoming MBJ president and his wife Lola and several of the MBJ staff.

Left: MBJ Airports Limited's Customer Service Manager, Stacey Hylton, gets one last hug from outgoing Chief Financial Officer Fernando Carrandi during the farewell ceremony. Right: Performing what could have been her last duties as his assistant, Safia Khan briefs former boss, outgoing MBJ Airports Limited Chief Executive Officer Jorge Sales during a farewell ceremony in his honour.

Left: Father Frank Ryan (centre) presents a painting of St. George's College to his former student Byron Lee (left) at the Honour The Dragon Concert, held at Constant Spring Golf Club, on Saturday night. The painting once hung on the walls of the residence of the principal of the great school, Looking on are Anthony Pearson (second left) and Phillip Samms. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance PhotographerRight: Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga makes a presentation to Sheila Lee, wife of Byron Lee.

This eye-catching gold linen hat, trimmed with chocolate brown feathers and brown leopard print fabric, is by Chapeaux, and assistant general manager of sales and marketing at GSB Co-operative Credit Union, Lorraine Green, makes a striking picture in it. She completes the ensemble with a two-piece white linen suit, featuring lace at the hemline, by Joyce Leslie of New York, and also sports white animal print stilettos from the trendy Kingston-based MiamiHeat. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer