The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Atlantis PR chief, Ed Fields, yesterday confirmed he is stepping down from his role as general manager for the Ocean Club Estates Homeowners Association (HOA), while praising the project as “the fastest growing anywhere in the Bahamas”.

Mr Fields, in a note to homeowners at the high-end Paradise Island-based real estate development, linked his decision to moves to “restructure” his employment terms with Atlantis.

He did not elaborate on what that meant when contacted by Tribune Business yesterday, saying it was “not a good time” for a detailed talk.

However, Mr Fields, who is a member of the Bahamas National Festival Commission, did confirm that he was relinquishing his Ocean Club role after 14 years.

Speaking briefly several hours before Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival started, he added: “I am certainly going to be demitting my position as general manager of the Ocean Club Estates Homeowners Association, just like other homeowners association heads have done in the past. Someone else will fill the role.”

Mr Fields’ note to Ocean Club Estates owners, which has been obtained by Tribune Business, makes clear it is solely a change of personnel as opposed to reforms to management arrangements and the services provided by Atlantis.

He also discloses that Candilaria Thompson, the assistant manager for the Homeowners Association, is leaving her post following an 11-year stint with effect from next Friday, May 15.

Mr Fields added that Ocean Club Estates, during his tenure, had grown from one to almost 90 homes, with more than 80 per cent of the development now built out.

“I am in the process of restructuring my terms of engagement with Atlantis, and as a result I will be demitting my tenure as general manager of the HOAs at Ocean Club Estates and the Ocean Club Residences and Marina,” Mr Fields told homeowners.

“This will have no impact on the management arrangement and services provided by Atlantis. Over the next several months or until such time that the required transition is completed, I will be working with the Board of Directors to ensure that the transition is seamless and that the appropriate persons are in place.

“While we do not have details at this time, be assured that you will be appropriately, and in a timely manner, notified of all changes and who will be responsible for delivering the level of service both Candi and I hope we have been able to deliver to you, our valued members.”

Mr Fields then added: “On a personal note, I wish to state that the past 14 years have been challenging, but at the same time rewarding.

“We have seen Ocean Club Estates grow from one home to close to 90 homes completed or over 80 per cent. It has been the fastest growing development of its kind anywhere in the Bahamas. The relationships that have developed have made Ocean Club Estates a unique community to be associated with, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it.”

He praised Ms Thompson for her role in the “smooth running” of the HOAs, and added: “My own reliance on her is incalculable.”