The Tribune

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) will face some of the most pressing decisions in its history with familiar faces at the top and a slew of new directors following its recent annual general meeting (AGM) and election of officers.

“The voice and an effective Chamber of Commerce is a critical to balanced and sustainable national development. We will continue the mandates we started in our first term of small and medium business development and support; economic development; and the encouragement of innovation & competitiveness” said I Chester Cooper, the BCCEC’s chairman.

The Board’s first meeting was convened yesterday with full attendance.

“The dynamics of doing business in an increasingly global environment make it more essential than ever to tap into a broad cross-section of talent and knowledge,” said Edison Sumner, the BCCEC’s chief executive.

“The newly-elected slate of directors represents a wide range of experience and needs, and we believe will serve the Chamber with energy and enthusiasm as we continue to foster innovation in the private sector.”

As a nod to its current senior leadership, BCCEC members voted to return its chairman, Chester Cooper (BAF Financial); and vicechairman, Robert Myers (V-Trade Supply), for another term in office as the two continue to promote the organisation’s mission of developing and protecting trade activity, as well as the interests of employers in the spirit of “true tripartism in national, regional and international forums”.

New officers for the administrative year include Christian Sawyer (Sunryse Shredding) as secretary and Ed Rahming (Krys Rahming and Associates) as treasurer.

The Board of Directors received an injection of fresh faces as nine of the 14 directors elected for the 2013- 2014 administrative year are newly elected members. New members include: Chandler Sands (Campbell Shipping), Simon Townend (KPMG), Disa Campbell (Bahamas Waste), Lionel Haven (Computitle), Anthony Kikivarakis (Julius Baer Private Banking), Mervin Sweeting (Switcha Bahamas), Roderick Simmons (Sunshine Tools Rentals), Matt Sweeting (Organisation of Young Professionals) and Keshelle Kerr (The Training Authority).

Returning directors are Michael Maura (Arawak Port Development), Rosel Wilson-Moxey (Arawak Homes), Hubert Edwards (Bank of the Bahamas), Romauld Ferriera (Ferriera & Company) and Peter Goudie (PGHR Consultants).

“The combination of returning leadership, a combination of top professionals with active business owners and entrepreneurs, strikes an essential balance as the BCCEC continues its work under Chester Cooper in promoting local business innovation and competitiveness, and a more enabling business environment,” said Mr Sumner.

The BCECC will hold a number of meetings to determine the way forward, as new and returning officers and directors unite to create a strategic plan of action for the administrative year. The Chamber continues to sponsor educational and training workshops through the Chamber Institute, and will shortly launch two new initiatives to assist new or growing businesses.