Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Oliver Barrett

He may now be a certified international property specialist, but for 15 years of his life, 36-year-old Oliver Barrett was a part of the United States Marine Corps, involved in peacekeeping operations in Somalia and flying missions to the Persian Gulf. Looking back, he told Flair in an exclusive interview that he got a rush from the challenges posed by danger.

But how has that experience prepared the Wolmerian now resident in Florida for life? After all, showcasing luxury Caribbean real-estate properties in cyberspace is a far cry from the marines. But having retired from active duty in 2004, that's exactly what The Caribbean Insider boss will be doing.

"I am used to surprising people; I was the only black in my squadron of 35 and I felt the spotlight all the time. In my flight class, I was one of two in a class of 40 and endured the subtle hints that I was not expected to make it," he said. Determination, drive, being scared of failure plus always proudly advertising his Jamaican birthright helped propel Barrett to the commodore's distinguished flight student list.

On dangerous missions, Barrett thought only about the crew because it was his mission to get them home. "I did not think about dying," he said, explaining that pilots in his position have to be clear-headed. "We have 12 hours from 'bottle to throttle' (from the last alcoholic drink to when you fly a plane). Pre-flight procedures, from secret briefing to pre-flight plans, are a lengthy process. S he has flown missions to Somalia and other war-torn places, he has no desire to go back to that life.

Preparation for life

The army and navy prepare you for life, from cleaning toilets, to cooking huge vats of food and instructing others, all soldiers know the drill. So in addition to his new role, Barrett is also now a military adviser to the Latin American region. "I speak fluent Spanish and that's an asset, and I serve contracts of between three and 12 months and that leaves me the flexibility to focus on The Caribbean Insider."

The seed for the business was sown in 2003. On a visit home to Montego Bay, he saw many pieces of prime property strategically located close to the sea. "I thought, why not do something that would place me closer to paradise and Florida? I already had a licence; I was already buying properties, fixing them and selling back to military officers. I wanted to be doing something that would give me a better quality of life," he said. And out of discussions with friends came the idea for a website devoted to marketing luxury Caribbean properties. It would give real-estate professionals a chance to advertise on the site for a fee.

Started two years ago, it is still a work in progress, but he is also set up in the Dominican Republic. Jamaica is ideal because Barrett, who emigrated to the U.S. at age 16, still has family here. "I am Jamaican and I see where everyone is buying up the Jamaican brand. Seventy-five per cent of my business is with Jamaicans even though our biggest problem is crime," he emphasises.

Main area of focus

For now, his main area of focus is the rapidly developing north coast corridor with its high-end villas and apartments - available for rent and sale. He will offer packages for both market segments and is not ruling out land. "My aim is to break the mould and revolutionise the way property is sold by dominating the Caribbean property market on the Internet," the National Association of Realtors Latin America analyst said. He is confident that his business will do well because he has done his homework, part of which included meeting with the heads of related organisations in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

FACT FILE

Oliver Barrett is the son of Winston Barrett of Corporate Interiors; he is married, with one son.

Graduated from same flight school as Barrington Irving (first black man to fly around the world).

US Navy flight instructor.

Earned 'Wings of Gold' in 1999.

Has lived/worked in Hawaii, Kenya, Somalia, Singapore, Bahrain, Thailand, the Philippines, Oman, Diego Garcia, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Panama, Australia and both coasts of the United States of America.

Website developer with experience in creating military sites.