TCI News

The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board Welcomes New Team Members

Published

6 years ago

September 21, 2018

#Providenciales, September 21, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board recently welcomed five new team members namely Sharissa Lightbourne, Elisha Jennings, Yanike Lee and Jennifer Pardo (all based in Providenciales) and Shaleeya Richardson (based in Grand Turk).

Sharissa Lightbourne joins the team at the Tourist Board as the Statistical Officer. Ms. Lightbourne is a Grand Turk native and 2005 graduate of the Helena Jones Robinson High School. She continued her education at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College where she earned an Associate Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2007. Her educational pursuit continued at Barry University in Miami Shores, FL where she majored in Computer Information Sciences and earned a Bachelor Degree in 2010. Ms. Lightbourne has extensive community involvement and professional experience and most recently served as the administrative officer at The Office of the Complaints Commission.

Elisha Jennings has joined the team as the Senior Public Relations Officer. Ms. Jennings is a native of Providenciales and graduated from the Clement Howell High School in 2005. She completed tertiary education at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami, FL where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing in 2010. Upon returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands, she gained notable experience in the private sector in public relations, marketing, sales, revenue management and hospitality. In 2014 Ms. Jennings completed training to obtain the Certified Revenue Management Executive designation by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. Ms. Jennings is also a Star Awards Manager of the Year nominee and was most recently employed as the Reservations Manager at the Windsong Resort. With a passion for mentoring and empowering young people, Ms. Jennings currently serves as the Youth Director at the Jericho Baptist Church.

The Tourist Board is also happy to welcome Yanike Lee to its team as Executive Assistant. Ms. Lee has an impressive professional record having held previous roles in the areas of accounting, office administration and customer service in the private sector. Ms. Lee graduated from the Clement Howell High School in 2005 and then continued her studies at the Turks & Caicos Islands Community College where she earned an Associate Degree in Hospitality Studies in 2008. She later attended the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies in 2012. Not only is Ms. Lee academically and professionally driven, she is also actively involved in community programs and has served as Treasurer for the TCI Volleyball Federation since 2016.

Jennifer Pardo, the Tourist Board’s new Marketing Executive, was born and raised in the island of Grand Turk. Ms. Pardo has a record of academic excellence and attended the Ona Glinton Primary School where she became the top performing GSAT student in the Turks and Caicos in 2006. She then went onto the Helena Jones Robinson High School where she became the top performing CXC student in 2011. In 2013 Ms. Pardo received an Associate degree in Business Administration with honors from The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Grand Turk campus and was the top performing Business Student in the College. In 2016 she received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with honors from King’s College London and in 2017 earned a Masters degree in Advertising and Marketing with honors from Leeds University. Ms. Pardo was most recently employed at Radio Turks and Caicos as the Sales and Marketing Officer and previously has completed several internships at Digicel, Fortis TCI and the TCI Government Statistics Department. Ms. Pardo is passionate about community service and is an active member of the Rotaract Club, living by the club motto “service before self”. She is also a Red Cross Volunteer and DDME volunteer, having recently become a certified Disaster Shelter Manager.

The newest addition to the Grand Turk team as Visitor Reception is Shaleeya Richardson. Ms. Richardson was raised in Grand Turk and graduated from the Helena Jones Robinson High School in 2014. She is currently a student at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College pursuing an Associates degree in Business Studies. Thereafter, she will pursue a Bachelors degree in Tourism Management and plans to further her career in the tourism sector. Ms. Richardson has expressed her gratitude to be a part of the Tourist Board’s team and lending her skills to market our destination.

While she is not new to the team, we would like to take this opportunity to re-introduce Candesha L. Mills, Product Development Officer of the Turks and Caicos Island Tourist Board. Mrs. Mills is a native of Grand Turk and a graduate of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, having earned an Associates degree in Business Studies from the institution. She matriculated to Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, FL where she earned an Associate and Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Mrs. Mills is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development. Her employment at the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board commenced in July 2007 as Statistical Coordinator and she was appointed as Product Marketing Officer in 2008. Her role was subsequently changed to Product Development Officer and she is tasked with the responsibility of assisting with the implementation of the strategic product development plans, formulation of a sustainable development plan, and exploring new product developments and visitor attractions. Mrs. Mills has expressed that her goal is to develop new and innovative ideas to ensure the longevity of the industry and discover new ways of expanding the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism offering such as the cruise ship industry.

Release: TCIG

TCI News

Crime challenges are “not Insurmountable” says New Police Commissioner Dana Malcolm

Published

15 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

”At this moment I can feel the enormity of responsibility bestowed on me and the weight of accountability and expectations of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) as well as members of the wider community.”

That was the acknowledgment from Edvin Martin, new Commissioner of Police as he was sworn into his role as head of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) on Monday, April 22.

“I also feel an unprecedented opportunity and a distinguished privilege to serve by leading the Police Force into an era of modern policing,” he maintained.

A well-trained force that is averse to corruption and maintains the trust of the people is what Martin promised in the address that spoke to the Police, the residents and the criminals.

Not only does the Commissioner say he understands the gravity of his role and the lofty expectations to reverse high crime which he described as a ‘tremendous mandate’, he maintains he has a good grasp of the issues plaguing the country.

To the residents, Martin called on them and all stakeholders to form an anti-crime coalition with an all-hands-on-deck approach.

“There should be no bystanders in addressing the carnage in our communities,” he said.

Even as Martin listed the threats of immigration, terrorism, cybercrime, transnational organized criminal activity, and the associated gang violence, illegal firearms and drug trading, he assured:

”I urge you listening to me today, do not despair, for while these threats may be challenging, they are not insurmountable.”

The process for tackling them will need a tightened-up RTCIPF, according to the commissioner, one that is focused, well trained and adequately resourced.

For Martin this means the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) must retool, restructure and reengineer its responses.

In this vein the top cop spoke directly to officers during his address, maintaining that the public deserves an accountable Police Force.

“As a service organization there will be allegations that cause the public to question our integrity; we must seek out and purge the organization of any semblance of bias, corruption and malfeasance,” he said.

Martin maintained the top brass now has a mandate to work to ensure fairness in work and promotions.

“Anything less than this will be an injustice— we must do everything possible to inspire confidence in our force and improve our legitimacy as gatekeepers of law and order,” said the new Commissioner.

As part of the crime fighting plan several immediate actions are to be taken:

The immediate and aggressive addressing of the spate violent crimes
Collaborating with stakeholders to address safety challenges in the tourism industry
Redefining the Police Force image to become the pride of the TCI
Greater technological innovation
Restructure the force to better align with contemporaries
Frequent Town Hall meetings
Increased safety at police stations.

Martin had words for the mayhem causers and their ‘glaring disregard for human life and safety’ too.

”Under my watch I can assure you that the RTCIPF will not sit idly by and observe this unrelenting rampage and havoc. Today I call on you to put down your weapons of destruction and change your criminal ways,” he said.

Martin, who recently retired as Grenadian PC is credited with being lead of his home force for five years, serving a total 37 years before bowing out and moving on to head the CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit.

Only months into that CARICOM job, Edvin Martin was approved and announced as police commissioner designate for the Turks and Caicos Islands, succeeding Trevor Botting.

“My first order of business ladies and gentlemen, this morning, is to give a special thanks to God, as He directs my path in every single thing that I do. I am grateful for His blessings and His guidance,” started Mr Martin when delivering his inaugural remarks at the outdoor ceremony.

The acknowledgment of God was a distinctive moment that many are hoping will auger well for the mission of newly installed policing leader for the TCI. Soon after his bold remarks, Martin, with his wife looking on from the audience took the oath of office and oath of allegiance in a live streamed event.

Also giving remarks at the swearing-in ceremony staged at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex were Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor and Washington Misick, TCI Premier.

TCI News

Sonia Fulford unveiled as Flow Brand Ambassador

Published

15 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Shanieka

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS, APRIL 24th, 2024 – Flow Turks and Caicos, leading telecommunications provider, is excited to announce its latest endorsement of daughter of the soil and TCI’s most formidable local and international female sports administration icon, Sonia Fulford. She also serves as President of TCI Football Association (TCIFA), Female Member of the Concacaf Council, and Member on the FIFA Council, within the highest ranks of football governing worldwide.

FLOW TCI Country Manager, Joanne Missick shared: “Sonia’s journey continues to inspire women such as myself leading in male dominated industries, and she continues to make our country proud both on and off the global stage. It is with great pleasure that we welcome her to the Fibre Federation, as our brand ambassador, and we look forward to the many positive outcomes this partnership will reap for our brand and for Flow customers around the Turks and Caicos in the very near future.”

Sonia, a native of the Nation’s Capital of Grand Turk embarked on her career as a multi-sport athlete for TCI, which included a long tenure as Captain of the TCI National Women’s Football Team. After a successful 14-year career in the legal field, she made a significant career shift, joining the TCIFA as General Secretary in 2006 – a decision that would lead to her becoming a sports administration icon and global ambassador for football, championing the cause of girls and women around the globe, in addition to, women in sports.

During her tenure within the FA, Sonia, a decorated leader with a plethora of local and international accolades, ascended the ranks to become the President of the FA. However, the most noteworthy appointment of her career to date, was reached in May 2013, when she etched her name into the history books as one of the first Female Member representatives to be elected to the prestigious FIFA Council, a testament of her unwavering dedication and leadership.

“I am thrilled to be aligning my brand with a company that has been an integral part of the Turks and Caicos Islands for more than 125 years. Flow/C&W TCI’s mission to empower and provide opportunities to young people in the local community and region through education and sports resonates deeply with my personal mission. Therefore, I am happy to announce today that I will be joining the Fibre Federation, Flow Turks and Caicos”, declares Sonia Fulford, Flow TCI’s newest brand ambassador and TCIFA President.

Follow Flow TCI on Facebook & Instagram for the last updates on this partnership and for more exciting announcements.

Crime

Following Court ruling, US Embassy Doubles Down on Warning: DO NOT TRAVEL TO TCI WITH GUNS, AMMO

Published

15 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Shanieka

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Dozens of news reports are all over TV and the internet, scarring the Turks and Caicos’ reputation yet again. This time linked to what Americans view as the preposterous law, which would, without chance for legal argument, throw a tourist into prison for 12 years. It is a mandatory conviction law on the books for possession of unlicensed guns or ammunition, and which just heard from the Court of Appeal that there ought to be no exceptions, whether it is one bullet or one gun, whether it is a tourist or a woman.

But what policymakers in various submissions in the House of Assembly back in October thought would return a win or opportunity for leniency to be injected as part of a legal defense has backfired. Now, unequivocally, the high court has ruled that the law gives no leeway. Anyone found with an unlicensed gun or ammunition must face what the law says is the penalty: not a fine, no reduced prison time, no exoneration, but 12 years mandatory in His Majesty’s Prison.

Now the US Embassy is doubling down on its message to travelers to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Do not travel with your legal gun and ammunition from the US to the islands. Do not, because in the islands, your right to carry arms is not automatic, and if you are caught, you will face severe punishment, and there is nothing the US government can do about it. There are several tourists charged and awaiting a ruling in their cases. There is also a Grand Turk businesswoman who was arrested for a single bullet in her luggage. While all of these matters are shocking and drawing public calls for leniency, as far as the law goes, everyone charged under it is headed to prison for 12 years.