Wehby returns

Don Wehby

Don Wehby rejoins Grace-Kennedy Limited on Monday in the newly created post of group chief operating officer (COO), reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive officer Douglas Orane.

Wehby has just completed a two-year tour as minister in the finance ministry. He was deputy chief executive officer at GraceKennedy at secondment. Wehby's new position inserts him in the No. 2 slot at the powerful conglomerate, with division heads, Erwin Burton of GK Foods and Courtney Campbell of GK Invest-ments, now answerable to him.

Campbell was appointed chief executive of GK Investments, replacing Wehby when he entered government service.

The position of group COO was specially created to accommodate his re-entry.

Wehby will also rejoin the GraceKennedy board as director on Monday.

business@gleanerjm.com

Samuda gets second term

Milton Samuda

Milton Samuda was re-elected Tuesday as president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce for a second term at the trade association's annual general meeting (AGM).

He called immediately for a new approach to the crafting of the national Budget that both allows for more private-sector consultations and reflects their views.

"What is happening is politicians and technocrats come up with the Budget and then announce it," he told the Financial Gleaner shortly after addressing the AGM.

But according to Samuda, who is a trained lawyer, this has always been the trend.

"I'm not singling out this administration," he said. "The nature of government has always been a lack of consultation and it has not changed and we are going to encourage them to do that."

Other key directors elected to the JCC executive were first Vice-president Francis Kennedy, second Vice-president Edward Khoury, third Vice-president Warren McDonald, fourth Vice-president Glen Christian, Treasurer Catherine Kennedy, and council member Tricia-Gaye Watson.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com