Pictured here are the winners of the Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association
awards for the year 2000.
[Island Sun photo/Warren Alexander]
Businessperson
of the Year, Commerce, Delma Maduro receives CCHA award from CCHA chairman
Kedrick Malone
[Island Sun photo]
Businessperson
of the Year, Hospitality, André NiederhŠuser receives CCHA award
from CCHA chairman Kedrick Malone
[photo by Astrid Wenzke]
CCHA Honours The Territory's Outstanding Businesses & Business Persons
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) Mr. Kedrick Malone believes it is important for the organization to take on a role in the social development of the BVI. "We really feel that businesses should play a part in the community and we're very pleased to introduce the Social Responsibility award," he said in his remarks at last Sunday's function. "And it's not just in money...we're recognizing businesses that have taken the time and the human capital to invest in the BVI; so I'm very happy that we're able to recognize companies that have upheld and uplifted their social responsibility to the BVI community."
The "Night of Stars" was the first to be held under the auspices of the new organization, but the 11th annual awards dinner. Deputy Governor Mr. Elton Georges and his wife and the Leader of the Opposition Dr. the Honourable Orlando Smith and his wife were among the guests at Prospect Reef's La Piazza. The first award - Pioneer in Commerce - was presented, in absentia, to the Callwood Distillery in Cane Garden Bay, the oldest continuously operating business in the British Virgin Islands and the Eastern Caribbean, which has existed for over 400 years. It is the only distillery in the BVI, the only licensed distillery in the Eastern Caribbean that still uses a single pot and one of the few that makes rum directly from cane juice.
The Pioneer in Hospitality award was also presented in absentia to Stanley's of Cane Garden Bay. He is known to have pioneered the stapling of business cards in his restaurant, promoting business networking. The Caribbean Weather Centre, established in June 1999, received the Innovation in Commerce Award. Accepting on behalf of Weatherman David Jones was Mary Findlay. Charles Wellington "Bomba" Callwood was awarded for Innovation in Hospitality. He was introduced to the industry in New York and returned home in 1976 and with his wife Elaine, opened up Bomba's Surfside Shack in Capoon's Bay. The Shack is famous for hosting the monthly full moon parties, which began some nine years ago and a favourite of tourists to the island. His Assistant and nephew Miguel Smith accepted the award on his behalf. Senior Manager Ron Potter accepted the new Business in the Community award for Deloitte & Touche for his company's commitment to the development of sports and other community activities, in particular Little League Baseball.
Mr. Potter said the next season starts January 2001 and he solicited the support of everyone to ensure the success of this programme. Joseph Hodge, who sold his first real painting in 1968, was on hand to receive the Preservation of Culture award. His paintings depict culture from a West African perspective and he has travelled from Suriname to Puerto Rico in his quest for first hand cultural knowledge. Kelvin Titley and Edward Sandy of JahPhix Designs won the Creativity in Business award. Their work can be seen on many commercial vehicles advertising the various businesses. They also do airbrush designs on t-shirts, boats and in other areas and portrait paintings. Patrick Killingsworth of Mr. Nice Guy Men's Boutique on Virgin Gorda was the recipient of the Young Entrepreneur award, which was introduced last year. His business began a little over a year ago and provides the kind of clothing that enhances the image and self esteem of local men. Mr. Killingsworth not only sells clothes, but also imparts high quality service, personal attention and general education about the quality and care of the garments and he also finds time to assist in community activities.
Three individuals received the Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Dr. Robin Tattersall, arrived here in 1965 to fulfil a two-year contract as a government Surgeon which actually did not end until 1976 when Dr. Orlando Smith returned home and assumed the position. His entrepreneurial spirit later came into play and he established the BVI's first bareboat company. He purchased the Purple Palace in 1973 and opened the first and still only private licensed hospital in the territory - the Bougainvillea Clinic, providing full in-patient care with eight beds. It has become an internationally recognized plastic surgery centre and sponsor of the annual international Medical Conference. Dr. Frederick Coville accepted the award on Dr. Tattersall's behalf. Mr. Waldo O'Neal of Virgin Gorda learnt the trade of carpentry and worked with his father for a number of years. Later, he sailed to St. Thomas with cattle and other cargo and then to Puerto Rico with charcoal and fence posts. He also did fishing with his uncle and sailed as far down as Antigua/Barbuda. After World War II started, he went to St. Thomas to work, where he studied architecture and construction. Mr. O'Neal returned to Virgin Gorda in 1944 and went back to doing what he loved. In 1957, he was elected to the 3rd Legislative Council, where he represented the 5th District of Anegada and Virgin Gorda for three years. Following that, he branched out into construction and completed many major projects, including Bitter End Resort. In his acceptance speech, Mr. O'Neal expressed appreciation for the awards he has received over the years and quipped: "I'm warning you, Chamber of Commerce, that you have to embrace the whole thing and don't stop the awards coming because I'm expecting plenty more." The third Lifetime Achievement Award went in absentia to Mr. Merit Herbert, a businessman of over 40 years, an avid farmer, a local Preacher in the Methodist Church, a Rotarian and owner of the territory's only AM station. Mrs. Penny Haycraft, MBE, Paul Harris Fellow, was honoured with the Humanitarian Award for her many contributions to the BVI, in establishing the first private school in the 1960s, for her involvement up to the Commissioner level in the BVI Guide Association and the BVI Yacht Club. She is also known to have chronicled through photographs the development of the BVI over the past 40 years. In accepting the award, she said she has had a lot of fun with the young people and she accepted the award on behalf of all the other volunteers. She used the opportunity to appeal for more support from leaders in the community. Friends of the National Parks Trust received the Environmental Award. The organization was established in 1990 and its USA branch has played a major role in helping the trust to acquire local property owned by U.S nationals for environmental purposes. The latest acquisitions were the ecological sites of Shark Bay near Brewer's Bay and Camp Bay, Great Camanoe. Mr. J.C. Pierce accepted for the Friends of NPT.
Business of the Year Commerce went to Caribbean Cellular Telephone, a company established in the BVI in April 1986 to provide cellular and other mobile telephone services in the territory. It is owned 50-50 by a US-based consortium and the BVI Investment Club. General Manager Rob Lyons accepted the award and pledged the company's continued commitment to providing better service to residents and building the company's corporate image in the community. CCT recently upgraded its system from analogue to digital and offers a wide range of services to customers. Business of the Year Hospitality went to Nail Bay Resort, accepted by Jan Merritt. Nail Bay has distinguished itself as an organization that has made a special effort to be part of the community and to the outside world. The resort comprises about 100 rooms, suites, apartments and villas on the beachfront and the hillside and incorporates a very well preserved sugar mill on the property. Mrs. Delma Maduro, Managing Director of Road Town Wholesale was the proud recipient of the Businessperson of the Year Commerce. She rose through the ranks from Executive Secretary at RTW in1978 and still found time to be actively involved in the community, serving at one point as Chairperson of the BVI Hotel and Commerce Association. At the beginning of her career, she was also a civil servant in the Attorney General's Chambers and Secretary to a charter boat company. Mrs. Maduro was especially thankful to RTW Chairman Peter Haycraft for giving her the opportunity to excel and to her family and friends for their support. Road Town Wholesale is the leading wholesaler and retailer of food and drinks in the BVI with over 275 employees. The Businessperson of the Year Hospitality went to Swiss national Andre Neiderhauser, General Manager of Prospect Reef Resort and President of the Caribbean Culinary Federation. Over the past ten years, he has helped to raise the profile of Prospect Reef, the largest property in the BVI. He has worked on upgrading the grounds, restaurant, fitness centre, bathrooms, fresh water pool and other facilities at the resort and a new restaurant on Peter Island.
The gourmet dinner at Sunday's function was prepared by the BVI National Culinary Team.