News
New Appointments at Experience Turks & Caicos
KITCHANDRA PENN-MCDONALD appointed as Human Resources Manager
Kitchandra Penn-McDonald, Human Resources Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos
Experience Turks and Caicos is pleased to welcome Mrs. Kitchandra Penn-McDonald, Human Resources Manager, to their team, effective today, December 4th, 2023. Mrs. Penn-McDonald is currently enrolled in a Masters Degree programme in Human Resources Management and Development at the University of Salford, Manchester, Mrs. Penn-McDonald has eight years of experience working in the Human Resources Management.
Before Experience Turks and Caicos, Mrs. Penn-McDonald was Director of Human Resources at Waterloo Hotel Management Limited (Ltd.). She was also employed as the Human Resources Manager at The Sands at Grace Bay. In welcoming Mrs. Penn-McDonald to the team, Ms. Racquel Brown, Change Manager and Interim CEO of Experience Turks and Caicos, said she is pleased to fill this critical position. “Hiring Mrs. Penn-McDonald, Human Resources Manager, is essential for talent recruitment and management to ensure the build-out and success of Experience Turks and Caicos. She will be essential in assisting me in ensuring that the organisational structure is in place to promote and enhance a positive and effective work environment for product development and to market and promote the Turks and Caicos Islands. I look forward to working with Mrs. Penn-McDonald in the coming months,” she said Mrs. Penn-McDonald described her new role as an amazing opportunity. “I am deeply honoured to be the Human Resources Manager for Experience Turks and Caicos. It is an amazing privilege and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for the success of the organisation,” she said.
HELCYANN SELVER appointed as Local Representative
Helcyann Selver, Local Representative, Experience Turks and Caicos
Experience Turks and Caicos is pleased to welcome Miss Helcyann Selver, Local Representative, to their team, effective today, December 5th, 2023. Miss Selver is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Human Services, with a specialisation in Mental Health from Walden University Online and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina. Miss Selver, who is from North Caicos, reports to the Destination Development Department and is responsible for product development in North, Middle and East Caicos.
In welcoming Miss Selver to the team, Ms. Racquel Brown, Change Manager and Interim CEO of Experience Turks and Caicos, said her appointment is in keeping with the thrust to market and promote the Turks and Caicos Islands as multi-island destination. “We are positioning the destination beyond Providenciales as we seek to increase visitation and spend. Developing the tourism product in our sister islands is key to this and, as such, the addition of Miss Selver to our team allows for the enhancement of North, Middle and East Caicos for more activities to increase day tours and to increase spend on island to the benefit of our communities and stakeholders.” she said. Miss Selver said she is excited to develop the tourism product in the sister islands. “It is an amazing opportunity to be a local representative from North Caicos and to be able to help with the development of tourism in my island and the sister islands. It is an honour to be able to be a part of the change that you want to see in our community. In working with Experience Turks and Caicos I now have the opportunity to market and promote my hometown with hopes of attracting not only tourists but to encourage the development of local businesses,” she said.
LAYTON LEWIS appointed as Events Organiser Specialist
Layton Lewis, Events Organiser Specialist, Experience Turks and Caicos
Experience Turks and Caicos is pleased to welcome Mr. Layton Lewis, Events Organiser Specialist, to their team, effective December 4th, 2023. Mr. Lewis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Mount Saint Vincent University in Canada with a minor in Marketing and an Associate Degree in Business Administration from the Turks and Caicos Community College in Grand Turk. A native of Grand Turk, Mr. Lewis previously worked as a Marketing Executive for the Canadian office of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board.
In his capacity as Events Organiser Specialist, Mr. Layton will be responsible for planning and coordinating marketing events for Experience Turks and Caicos. In welcoming Mr. Lewis to the team, Ms. Racquel Brown, Change Manager and Interim CEO of Experience Turks and Caicos, said his role is an important one for the organisation. “As the Event’s Organiser Specialist, Mr. Lewis is an important addition to Experience Turks and Caicos due to the diversity of events we will execute. These include, press conferences, hosting visiting Travel Agents and Journalists, Workshops, Stakeholder Meetings. In this role, he will be assisting departments with the planning and execution of all events in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Source markets to ensure all events represent the branding of Experience Turks and Caicos and objective(s) of all events” she said. Mr. Lewis said he is humbled by the opportunity. “I’m eternally grateful and humbled to be hired for the role as Events Organiser Specialist within Experience Turks and Caicos. An opportunity to serve my country in this capacity will not be taken lightly. Thanks be to God, for he is good!”
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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