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FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell Earns CREF Energy Leadership MVP Award

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#Providenciales, October 28, 2019 – Turks and Caicos Islands – FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell was recently named the 2019 recipient of the 3rd Annual Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) Energy Leadership MVP Award. The honor is given to a nominee who has made a significant contribution to energy development in the region. CREF Program Director Julie Taylor, on behalf of the CREF Advisory Committee, announced the award on Thursday, October 17, at the 11th annual CREF Conference in Miami, Florida, USA.

With almost 40 years of industry experience and 12 years as President and CEO of FortisTCI, Mr. Powell is credited with leading the transformation of the electricity sector in the Turk and Caicos Islands (TCI). His accomplishments include investing in the professional development of employees to create a well-trained and diverse workforce, leading to the company achieving ‘Investors in People’ accreditation in 2016. In 2018, FortisTCI was again accredited with Investors in People (Silver) certification.

Under his leadership, FortisTCI earned its first investor grade credit rating with Standard & Poor’s, providing the company the opportunity to access affordable financing in the United States capital debt market. Other FortisTCI achievements under Mr. Powell’s leadership include, earning ISO 22301:2012 certification for business continuity management from three leading global standards organizations, and ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certification for Occupational Health and Safety, and Environmental Management Systems. Mr. Powell also created an environment where modernizing utility infrastructure for resiliency and reliability was a priority. This approach led to a utility with one of the highest reliability stats in the region, adding to the continued economic development of the TCI.

In 2018, the company won the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) restoration award for its recordbreaking restoration of service in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. FortisTCI restored service to the entire country in 60 days, which had a positive impact on the country’s economy.

Mr. Powell has led FortisTCI to integrate and enable the renewable energy transition through the establishment of distributed generation solar programs for customers, which received the 2018 CREF award for Best Distributed Generation Project. He and his team have also worked alongside the Turks and Caicos Island Government and the Rocky Mountain Institute to finalize a national energy plan called the Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy, which will serve as the country’s blueprint over the next 22 years.

In May of this year, Mr. Powell was elected as Chairman of the CARILEC Board, having already served as CARILEC Vice Chairman, Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee between the 2016 – 2019 terms. In his current role as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Powell has advocated regionally for the transition to cleaner energy sources and encouraged a focus on sustainability and resiliency. Prior to 2007, Mr. Powell served 25 years with Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd (CUC) in the Cayman Islands, four years of which he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Speaking of the award, Mr. Powell said, “This came as a complete surprise. I am humbled to accept this award, but I do so in honor of the fantastic women and men at FortisTCI and the great support from our Parent Company, Fortis Inc. This Award means a great deal to me and the company, and the people that I represent and work with. CREF is doing a great job in promoting renewable energy in the Caribbean. The annual CREF Conference has help to facilitate the rapid scale-up of renewable energy in the region.”

CREF is the largest annual industry conference for the Caribbean region focused on advancing the clean energy market for a clean energy future. As CREF Organizers, New Energy Events established the awards program to recognize Caribbean leaders making a difference through resiliency and renewable energy and creating project development for countries to transition to more sustainable clean sources of energy.

Release: Fortis TCI

TCI News

Bomb Threat No 6. In TEN days

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

“Our daughter is on the plane and they took them off the plane and we don’t know where the people are—she called— and we haven’t been able to get a hold of her since” the words of a panicked parent and one example of the chaos that criminals making malicious bomb threats on the Turks and Caicos’ airports are causing.

That parent was one of many residents waiting anxiously outside the Providenciales International Airport on Sunday, May 5th after Bomb threats were yet again filed against it; simultaneously threats were also made against the JAGS McCartney Airport in Grand Turk.

The couple, speaking to Wilkie  Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent,  were sitting in their car, the mother in tears, watching as travelers were made to disembark and leave the airport for their own safety.

We are told authorities cut a hole in airport fencing to quickly evacuate those who were on board aircraft on the runway at the time.

Arthur spoke to pilots who were frustrated at the delay.

”From our perspective, this flight is canceled.“ One of them told Arthur.

They expressed the same concern that other residents had shared with Magnetic Media, that it was time for the police to find the culprits behind the repeated threats which have turned out in all cases so far to be hoaxes.

Magnetic Media observed dozens of resident travelers mowing about on the tarmac and outside of the airport just waiting for police to finish their bomb threat protocol for the sixth time in 10 days.

The other threats came on Friday, April 26, Saturday, April 27, and Monday, April 29 (2) all via email.

Eventually, passengers were observed going back through security to reboard their  flights.

It’s the first time in six encounters that no word has come from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority about the bomb threat, and when Arthur tried to approach the airport to film, he was told not to.

Based on eyewitness reports, several flights were delayed, including at least one international flight to Texas.

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Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Government

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS WEST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

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Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, recently undertook a pivotal visit to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The visit, which took place from April 21st to April 23rd, 2024, was held under the esteemed patronage of the Ambassador of Health of the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.

Led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE, the delegation included Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services. This strategic meeting was an integral part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency services within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the visit, representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service provided comprehensive insights into their operations, sharing valuable expertise and offering collaborative initiatives for the development of the TCIs emergency services. Discussions encompassed various aspects, including training and mentoring programs tailored to empower emergency personnel within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The visit marked a significant step forward in our strategy for the advancement of emergency services,” stated Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support extended by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and we look forward to implementing the insights gained to further enhance emergency care within our country. Permanent Secretary Lewis also expressed the Ministry of Health’s gratitude to Professor Ian Cumming for his assistance by way of arranging the visit.”

Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored the importance of the discussions, emphasizing the poignant exchange of ideas and the potential for meaningful collaborations which signifies a commitment to improving emergency services and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services expresses its sincere appreciation to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions during the visit.

For additional information, please visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

 

 

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