Prepare to lead, young execs told
published: Tuesday | March 4, 2008
André Rochester (left) of Maritime and Transport Services shares some words of wisdom with Wayne Rhoden (right) of Ocean Air International Limited while Jamaica Freight and Shipping's Christine Johnston looks on. The three were conversing during the Agents Committee luncheon held on February 28 at the Shipping Association of Jamaica's Fourth Avenue offices. - Contributed
Young shipping industry workers have been encouraged to prepare themselves for the next phase of leadership in the sector.
The call came from Trevor Riley, general manager of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), during a luncheon on February 28, at the association's Port Bustamante headquarters, for members of the Agents Committee, the regular monthly grouping of association members.
According to Riley, the current leadership of the industry emerged from the Agents Committee and the Industrial Relations Committee, which oversee negotiations with the trade unions for labour contracts governing the port of Kingston.
Happy at large turnout
"I am happy to see the large turnout of members today - and particularly such young ones as well - and I hope it represents a trend on which we can rely, because it is the Agents Committee which trains our members for leadership. It is not sufficient for you to learn about your individual businesses and to build your companies. It is also incumbent on you to work together and learn the principles of cooperation which build industries," Riley said.
He added that the people who have led these organisations learned much of their skills in the shipping industry.
"Great and resilient business enterprises such as GraceKennedy, Lascelles Group (and) the Jamaica Producers Group were all among the founders of the SAJ and the shipping industry is a large contributor to their growth, particularly in the early years," he said.
Also speaking at the lunch was Donavan Martin, chairman of the Agents Committee, who noted that the team did much work last year and he was looking forward to an even more dynamic schedule of work in 2008.
The Agents Committee meets monthly to discuss and set action plans to deal with issues affecting the membership of the Shipping Association of Jamaica. The committee interfaces with the Jamaica Customs Department, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and other bodies.
