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Failed PNP Leadership Bid; Will Saunders be sidelined, residents want to know

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Deandrea Hamilton

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#TurksandCaicoisIslands,  February 27, 2024 – It has been days now since an interesting challenge emerged at the Progressive National Party’s National General Congress (NGC), and many in the public continue to wait with bated breath to see what play Washington Misick, the TCI Premier and PNP Party Leader will make after a delegate-led motion revealed that his own deputy leader in the party and in governance was prepared to challenge him for the leader post.

Fifty-one-year-old, E. Jay Saunders chose to take a precarious path.  

He did not register his interest in the leadership race ahead of the NGC and it meant that a motion, according to the PNP Constitution, had to be put forth and a vote had to be taken on whether his late bid would progress to the leadership ballot.  

“There were delegates who were saying to me that they wanted to put my name up, I knew that.  But I told them that the delegates needed to say on the floor what they wanted to do.  If they did not want him to run again as leader, they needed to articulate that matter on the floor.  I’m an instrument of my party,” said Saunders in the one on one interview this past Sunday.  

The result was 58 delegates voting in support of a smaller minority requirement as sufficient to enter E. Jay Saunders into the race; 88 voted that Saunders would need a larger majority in order to have his name advanced.

News of the result spread like wildfire.  It was explained that when E. Jay Saunders challenged Washington Misick for party leader and delegates had the chance to cast their votes, Misick came out with 88 for him and Saunders lost the race with 58 supporting his candidacy.  But the PNP Deputy Leader and TCI Deputy Premier, E. Jay Saunders said that was not how events played out.  

He said there was a misunderstanding of the process in that he was never able to get to the stage to challenge Washington Misick, directly for PNP leadership.

“So there was  a debate on whether or not that motion to have me added was going to require two thirds majority or simple majority, like fifty percent plus one; and that motion failed, if that had passed it would have put me on the ballot.  That motion failed, so everything stopped at that point,” explained Saunders. 

While in-party challenges for the leadership position anywhere are notoriously risky, members of the public in the Turks and Caicos are glued to their seats, waiting for the next act in a production that could end in termination for Saunders, who took a big gamble hinged – in part – on PNP delegates’ prodding from the shadows. 

“My concern was always that there was  40 percent of the people voted for an outcome, that means that there is a noise in the market that says we want change and I didn’t know what that number was until it was yesterday.  But my view is that we would find out what that was, if that number was more than 50 percent then that means they want the future to start now, and I am ready.  If that number was under 50 percent, as it turns out, it means that they don’t want the future to start now, but I am ready,” said Saunders in an interview with Magnetic Media.

Saunders’ campaign was a quiet one; and while it was a surprise for some, there were others who anticipated his aspirations; after all it was not his first time offering for party leader.  There was no public mudslinging or disparaging campaigns run in the media by any of the three men who showed interest in taking over as leader of the government PNP.  From Saunders, there was also no bold public pronouncement of what he wanted and he hoped to bring to the table if given the chance to lead his party; for some this was disappointing.  Though his campaign was soft and legitimate, it is unclear if that lessens the sting or diminishes the fact that E. Jay wanted the job, the Premier currently has and obviously intends to hold onto.

Saunders confirmed that since the vote, things have been cordial and there had up to Sunday night been no talk between the men about what transpired at the NGC.

“We spoke yesterday; we did not speak about that.  After it, we shook hands.  We had small talk, the party had a social last night and we were in church today.”

The party attended Community Fellowship Centre church, where there was a special Women’s Day service featuring visiting gospel minister, Katherine Hamilton of The Bahamas.  Saunders remarked on the video, which had been widely circulated and featured Minister Hamilton, standing before both men, with heartening words for the younger leader.  

“I hear the Lord saying, ‘Learn as much as you can learn because your time is coming, it is coming but do not despise your time of preparation’; I hear Him saying: ‘Don’t allow anything to cause you to miss the lessons, many strengths, much wisdom, your time is coming’.”

Saunders, who is also the son of former party leader and former chief minister, Norman Saunders explained that nothing he did was outside of the party’s constitution.  

“I believe I can lead the party today and into the future and I believe Washington can lead the party today, because obviously he is the leader.  But the decision the delegates would need to make is do they want the future of the party to start in 2025 or do they want it to start in 2030; now, they chose to have the future of the party to start in 02030.”

The facts are now, Washington Misick, who is 73-years-old, will continue to lead the PNP and that includes into the next general election which is constitutionally slated for early 2025.  A constitutional amendment now lengthens the term to five years for a ruling party to govern in the Turks and Caicos.  

Saunders believes he still has work to do under the PNP Government Administration and hopes he is able to continue that work.  Two of three of his public jobs are hinged however on the premier’s prerogative.  

While Saunders would only lose his position as a Member of the House of Assembly if unseated by a candidate in a general election, it is a well-documented fact that the Progressive National Party does not vote for its deputy party leader, it is a position appointed by the party leader.  

Similarly, E. Jay Saunders was given his Finance, Investment and Trade cabinet portfolio at the pleasure of the Premier.

With one cabinet minister already removed due a disagreement with Misick despite her prowess as a front bencher, the looming question is, will E. Jay Saunders face an identical fate.  Washington Misick has made it clear that “I have a deep bench” and he could chose to play one of those members and sideline Saunders.

The Progressive National Party’s NGC was held on Saturday February 24, 2024 at the Shore Club in Providenciales, TCI,  mere days after the party – on February 19 – marked three years since its 2021 landslide victory at the polls.

Government

Tamica Prospere Appointed Director of Learning and Development

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Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tamica Prospere as the Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Mrs. Prospere holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (RQF Level 5), a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and an Associate Degree in Education, also from UWI. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications and coursework in content delivery, human resource management, talent management, and training and development from esteemed institutions, including Mico University College and CIPD.

With a strong foundation in public service and education in St. Lucia, Mrs. Prospere dedicated over a decade to classroom teaching at the secondary school level, beginning in 2002. During her tenure, she educated a diverse student body across various subjects, including Mathematics, Information Technology, and Life Skills, all aimed at fostering students’ personal and social well-being. She also facilitated community adult learning programs, showcasing her enduring commitment to promoting inclusive and varied educational opportunities.

Her career in public service in the Turks and Caicos Islands began in 2014 as a teacher at Marjorie Basden High School. From 2019, she served as the Learning and Development Manager for the legacy Customs Department and later for the TCI Border Force. In this role, she made significant contributions to improvements and championed a culture of professional growth.

Mrs. Prospere has been a strong advocate for leadership development through several key programmes. She conceptualised and introduced the Leading Effectively through Accountability and Development (LEAD) programme for the management team, which has successfully run for three consecutive years, with its most recent leadership reinforcement event held in 2025. Additionally, she implemented several programmes in partnership with educational institutions, resulting in 27 Border Force officers earning continuing professional development (CPD) certifications in supervisory management from UWI and 10 managers completing the Dynamic Leadership course with the Caribbean Maritime University.

She played a pivotal role in developing operational strategic plans and frameworks for both the Customs Department and the TCI Border Force. Mrs. Prospere spearheaded the creation and delivery of professional programmes, such as the Customs Broker Certification Programme. She introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate scalable learning for aspiring Customs Brokers.

Moreover, she led the implementation of several significant projects, most notably the Regional Clearance System in the TCI and a comprehensive revamp of customs procedures at Howard Hamilton International Airport, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency. She also facilitated key engagements that strengthened partnerships with leading regional bodies, including the Caribbean Customs Legislation and Enforcement Council (CCLEC), the border security team within CARICOM IMPACS, and the customs advisory arm of CARTAC. These collaborations were instrumental in securing vital technical assistance for training.

Speaking on the appointment, Mrs. Prospere said, “I am honoured to step into this role and lead the Learning and Development Directorate. I believe that a world-class public service is built together. I’m dedicated to partnering with civil servants at all levels to foster a dynamic learning environment where we can collectively develop the skills needed to be adaptable, exceed standards, and deliver truly exceptional service to the public.”

In congratulating Mrs. Prospere, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams stated, “We are pleased to extend congratulations to Mrs. Tamica Prospere on her appointment as the new Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

With over a decade of dedicated service in the field of training and development, Mrs. Prospere has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to building capacity and strengthening the public service workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her innovative and strategic approach to learning has transformed teams and empowered individuals, ensuring the public service is well-equipped to meet the demands of a constantly evolving landscape.

As the government continues its efforts to enhance service delivery through robust and comprehensive training initiatives, we are confident that Mrs. Prospere’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous growth across the public sector.

Congratulations Mrs. Prospere, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to working with you to shape the future of learning and development in the Public Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

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Government

Melissa Holland Appointed as Public Service Information Officer

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Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Melissa Holland as the new Public Service Information Officer within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Ms. Holland holds an Associate Degree in Business from Turks and Caicos Community College, a Creative Suite Certificate in Website Development from StackSkills, and an Administrative Professional Certification from the College of Administrative Professionals. She has also engaged in continuous learning through Coursera.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Holland has accumulated valuable experience in various roles. She began her journey as a Clerical Officer at the Ministry of Education from June 2007 to May 2009 and was promoted to Secretary to the CEO from December 2009 to April 2010. Subsequently, she served as the Assistant to the Director of Sales, Marketing & Rentals at Apes Hill Club in Barbados from May 2011 to July 2014. Ms. Holland then took on the role of Office Assistant at Growing Soul Records in Miami, FL, from August 2014 to October 2015, followed by another position as an Office Assistant at Arrow Electronics in Denver, CO, from November 2015 to June 2018.

In June 2018, she became a Multimedia Specialist at Shop Genesis and later transitioned to the role of Creative Director at Black Sage Analytics from September 2020 to 2022. More recently, she served as an Administrative Officer at the Ministry of Health and Human Services from December 2022 to March 2023, before moving to the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services as an Administrative Officer from March 2023 to August 2025. She acted as the Communications Officer for Border Force in September 2023.

Upon her appointment, Ms. Holland shared her enthusiasm, stating, “My journey from capturing moments through lifestyle photography to creating designs that honor the vibrance of Caribbean culture has been shaped by both creativity and faith. Stepping into the role of Public Service Information Officer is a privilege and an exciting opportunity to unite my love for storytelling with service. Guided by Proverbs 3:5-6, I trust God to continue directing my path and using my gifts for a greater purpose”.

Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, congratulated Ms. Holland, stating, “We are delighted to congratulate Ms. Melissa Holland on her appointment as Public Service Information Officer and to welcome her to our team in the Office of the Deputy Governor.

In this important role, Ms. Holland will be responsible for the accurate and timely dissemination of both internal and external communications related to the operations of the public service, including circulars, notices, appointment announcements and other official updates.

We are confident that Ms. Holland’s diverse background and professional expertise will be invaluable in fulfilling these responsibilities and we look forward to the meaningful contributions she will undoubtedly bring to the team.

Congratulations, Ms. Holland, on your new appointment!”

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    Government

    Andy Missick Appointed Juvenile Manager

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    Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andy Missick as the Juvenile Manager within the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services in the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities.

    Mr. Missick holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Social Work from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.

    His professional experience includes serving as a Registration Officer at the Financial Services Commission for three years, a Social Worker for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government for one year and as a Probation Officer in the Department of Rehabilitation & Community Supervision from 2023 until his recent promotion.

    Sharpening his skills in the area of rehabilitation, Mr. Missick has completed professional training in the following areas: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Case Management, Risk Assessment, Intake and Interviewing Techniques, Counseling, Report Writing, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Reentry and Reintegration Planning, Community Resource Networking, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Behavior Modification, and Social Skills Training.

    Known for his contributions to Youth Leadership and Representation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and elsewhere, Mr. Missick currently serves as the Male CARICOM Youth Ambassador since 2023 and is a currently a Youth Parliamentarian having representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 12th Annual Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand; the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in London, United Kingdom and the Caribbean Youth Summit 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica.

    In addition to his professional roles, Mr. Missick is involved in community service and volunteerism through the Rotaract Club of Providenciales, where he has been an active member for seven years. He has held various leadership positions, including Sergeant-at-Arms, Foundation Chair, Youth Service Director, Wellness Chair, Fundraising Director, Vice President and currently serves as the President.

    Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Missick stated, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. Growing up in the Turks and Caicos, I have seen far too many young lives cut short. Some lost to violence, some to poor choices and some to the weight of circumstances they never asked for. Those experiences are etched into me and they are the reason I feel such deep gratitude and responsibility in being appointed Juvenile Manager. This is more than a role; it is a calling to stand in the gap for our youth, to remind them that they are not defined by their mistakes but by the greatness still inside of them. I believe in second chances, I believe in opportunity, and I believe that with guidance, accountability and hope, our young people can rise above their struggles and become the leaders of tomorrow.

    I anchor myself in the words of Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” True leadership is service, and in serving our youth, I serve the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This appointment is not just about today. It is about building a legacy of hope, discipline and purpose for tomorrow”.

    In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams, said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Mr. Andy Missick on his appointment as Juvenile Manager with the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, within the Ministry of Public Safety.

    The post of Juvenile Manager is a critical role, focused on shaping the future of our islands by supporting, guiding and rehabilitating at-risk youth. The Juvenile Manager plays a key part in ensuring that young individuals are given every opportunity to grow into productive, empowered citizens who contribute meaningfully to society.

    Mr. Missick brings to this position a wealth of experience, a deep passion for youth empowerment and a proven track record of service and leadership. His longstanding commitment to the development of young people in the Turks and Caicos Islands is well known, having served with distinction as a CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Youth Parliamentarian and a dedicated member of the Rotaract. Through these platforms, he has consistently advocated for youth engagement, policy development and community service, earning the respect of peers and stakeholders alike.

    We are confident that Mr. Missick will continue to inspire and implement innovative initiatives that uplift our youth and strengthen our communities.

    Congratulations, Mr. Missick, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to the positive impact you will undoubtedly make in this vital role.”

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