He joined the St Kitts-Nevis Government owned radio station “ZIZ” as programmer assistant and was trained at the BBC in London, England.
He was there at the same time with Sir Trevor McDonald. This was during the 1960s, a time when classes at the BBC were segregated based on race.
Despite this and other obstacles such as being forced to sit apart from the white students attending the same courses, Dad and Sir Trevor both excelled above their counterparts and graduated head of the class.
After completing his studies, Dad returned to St. Kitts, while Sir Trevor continued to work for the BBC.
On returning to ZIZ, Dad held several managerial positions. He put in place many programs – some of which are still on the air today.
After completing his Accounting degree at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica in 1972, upon returning to St. Kitts, he became Chief Accountant in the Sugar Rescue Operation and National Agricultural Corporation.
Then in 1978 he answered a call from his native island of Montserrat, to be the manager of the Development Finance Corporation. His response to this call was,
and I quote: “
I couldn’t feel better. I am happy to be able to come home before I am grey to give some of my training and experience in the development process of my native land. Given the scarcity of natural resources, Montserrat is making a good effort to develop and it is only reasonable that sons of the soil should play their part.”
One of Dad’s other notable ventures was as President of the Montserrat Allied Workers Union.
I remember being awestruck when he had the audacity to actually lead the water and electrical workers in a strike for better pay and benefits. Once again, he was looking out for the ordinary person, making sure everyone had an equal and fair chance to a decent life. After the strike, these companies were among the most desirable places of work.
I admired that his ethic was also applied to the way he treated his staff.
While managing at the Montserrat Water Authority, he held high expectations and standards for staff. Those expectations were tempered with paying well for work well done and being considerate for their needs.
So, when long hard hours of work were required to ensure water supply, he would order meals for the staff. A very small gesture – but it sent the message “
I see and appreciate your efforts”.
Some of his other ventures included:
- Montserrat’s representative on the Board of Directors of the East Caribbean Central Bank
- An accounting “firm” – and I say “firm” with a smile as he was often paid “in-kind” for work performed. I recall going to a particular grocery store in Montserrat with Mom every Friday for several weeks to “purchase” groceries in exchange for “services rendered”.
- Accountant at the St Kitts Sugar Manufacturer Corporation
- Co-founder and operator of B&I Bakery in Montserrat
- Ran for politics
- Sergeant Major in the St Kitts-Nevis Defence Force
A couple of trailblazing notables:
- For the corporate government roles - he was often the first local person – the first Black person – to hold these positions. Traditionally, these positions were reserved for ex-patriates from England, Canada or the United States. He played a role in breaking that trend by showing that the work could be done just as good – and often better and with the love and care you would not find in someone with no vested interest – by “sons of the soil”.
- My father is one of very few people I know from that generation, to change and pivot throughout their career. He was never afraid to take on new challenges, learn and grow.