André Hylton and his friend Michelle Boland.

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

His name is synonymous with Jamaica's automobile industry and classic cars.

André Hylton, a well-known automobile entrepreneur, is the managing director of André's Auto Supplies and co-founder and past president of the Jamaica Classic Car Club.

He has been associated with the local automotive industry for more than 25 years, and has been instrumental in simulating interest among many persons islandwide, in collecting and restoring classic cars through the Classic Car Club.

He is also the founder and current director of the Jamaica Motor Repairs Association and host of Auto Talk on Power 106 FM.

André is also known for his commitment to community voluntarism, which is driven by his love for people and his passion to serve. His philosophy is to 'do as much good as you can in life'.

He has been actively involved in the Dunrobin/Cassia Park community for many years, which led to his establishment of a non-profit organisation called Guiding Light, to help meet the needs of struggling basic schools within the community.

He is also founder and current chairman of Future Vision Foundation, another non-profit community-based organisation that has provided skills training and development, health fairs and motivational seminars, for residents within various communities in the Corporate Area. These communities include Kencot, Cassia Park, Dunrobin and Mountain View.

best friends

He names his best friends as Michelle Boland, freelance production coordinator/director and writer with VIDQUIP Limited, and Michael Buckley, manager, Systems Development at Bank of Jamaica.

Michelle, who is a former producer of RJR's magazine programme, Beyond the Headlines, and former programmes assistant at Power 106 FM, shares with us André's unreserved love for people and his commitment to charity and other projects, aimed at empowering and enhancing the lives of people and their communities.

She also tells us of his zeal for life, his passion for all things 'auto', and his belief in the capability of people.

How did you meet André Hylton, and how long have you been friends?

I met him at Power 106 FM about 15 years ago. He was a presenter for the programme Auto Talk at the time, and I was a programmes assistant at the station.

Tell us what you admire most about him and why you think you have remained friends all these years.

The qualities that I admire in him are that which sustains our friendship. He loves people unreservedly, it doesn't matter who you are or where you are from.

He is also honest and I think his closest friends would agree. They would also agree that he is always involved in some development project. Once you are a friend or an associate, you are going to find yourself working on, or contributing to a social cause or charity in which he is involved. I like the fact that he has the gift of bringing all kinds of people together. The truth is, we have some common interests and we share similar views on some things that I consider meaningful to life.

Tell us something interesting about him.

André believes in the capability of our people. He wants to see them empowered but he feels that they will only truly be empowered if they believe in themselves and make use of the opportunities that are available. It seems that he would literally take the opportunities to people if it was possible.

He is a motivator. You may have heard how he started André's Auto Supplies with $40 and a bicycle. His children will never be too old to hear about it, and he is an example to the young and old, who are trying to make it in life.

He has a passion for all things that are auto, and oh, he's like a 'business ideas' generator. He has so many marketable business concepts it's unbelievable.

What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?

They are many and varied. We talk about life, politics, work, relationships, family, Jamaica, business, world affairs - you name it! There is always going to be some project, event or idea to discuss. Outside of that, we talk about the more serious things that we are interested in pursuing - personal direction and balance in life.

I remember him once saying that one should never repeat a negative about a person, especially when there is no supporting evidence, because of the negative impact and consequences ... much like 'ripples in a stream'. It's something I have incorporated in my life's philosophy.

Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with him.

I am happiest when I can really just listen and talk to someone because that's when you get a glimpse into the person's true self and eventually get to know them. So I would have to say the happy moments are when I can see and feel that my friend is happy. I particularly like when he's celebrating his family.

Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of him, and why.

Someone once said, 'when it's time to die let's not regret not living.' I think André really lives life to the fullest. He's very zealous about life. André believes that it is important to have a balanced life and so even with all the organisations and projects he's involved in, he finds time to party a lot!

What are his favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?

He loves fruits.

His favourite music would be anything done by Bob Marley.

Definitely car racing, followed by football.

Tell us the colour that you associate with him:

Yellow - signifying someone you'll never forget

Orange - signifying someone you consider your true friend

Red - signifying someone you really love

Green - signifying someone who has had a significant impact on your life.

He embodies all the colours and that's why it's easy to see him as a friend.

A true friend is someone who celebrates the good times and supports you in 'the best of times' and in 'the worst of times', who accepts you because of, and in spite of who you are. A true friend is honest but constructive, loyal but true.

A true friend encourages and contributes to your growth and is trustworthy. These are the things that define our friendship.

There is a connection with André that is true and will continue throughout this life.

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