Published 10 November 2022
Basseterre
Buckie Got It St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Congratulations to the new Board of Directors of The Cable.
Director: Mr. Russell Halbert – Chairperson
Mr. Russel Halbert is an experienced practitioner in the telecommunication sector with over 30 years of extensive international experience. Over his career, Russell has worked and consulted for companies such as Digital Equipment Corporation, SITA, and Nortel Networks Inc, in the United States, CCT Global Communications in the British Virgin Islands, Telecommunications Services of Trinidad & Tobago – TSTT, Belize Telemedia Ltd – BTL, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank and The Cable. Positions held included Information Technology Consultant, Technology Architect, Senior Sales Technical Support Consultant, Senior Sales Executive, Director of Technical Operations, and Integration Consultant. With this breath of exposure and experience in Telecommunications, Mr. Halbert is well positioned to lead The Cable Board of Directors in fulfilling the Government’s vision of the Digital Transformation of St. Kitts & Nevis.
Director: Mr. Crios Freeman – Deputy Chairperson
Mr. Freeman has a background in economics and law and is the holder of two undergraduate degrees in both fields namely a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Laws, both from the University of the West Indies. Mr. Freeman obtained his Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School and a Master of Laws in Corporate Law from Queen Mary, University of London. Mr. Freeman also served in the Civil Service for almost 20 years, many of those years serving in the Office of the Prime Minister as a Finance Officer. Mr. Freeman is now the Principle and Owner of Freeman’s Legal Services after serving a two-year stint as Counsel at the St. Kitts-Nevis Legal Aid and Advice Center. Mr. Freeman will provide the legal acumen needed on the Board of Directors and will also be an excellent finance and economics resource given his extensive experience in the field.
Director: Mrs. Cleopatra Shauna Benjamin – Secretary Designate
Mrs. Benjamin is an Executive Officer with over 20 years in the field of administration. She has extensive experience, with coordinating, planning, and supporting daily operational and administrative functions. Mrs Benjamin has provided administrative support to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for 6 years and presently to the Chief and Education Planner in the Ministry of Education for the last 16 years. She holds an Executive Diploma in Management with training in Supervisory and Advance Supervisory Management from the University of West Indies. Mrs. Benjamin brings a wealth of experience perfectly suited to carry out the secretarial duties of the Board of Directors.
Director: Ms. Desiree Connor
Ms. Connor currently serves as the Assistant Accountant General in the Treasury Chamber of the Ministry of Finance and has also held several other senior positions at the Department for the past 15 years. Prior to joining Treasury Chambers, Desiree served as Funds Manager at the Vystar Credit Union in Jacksonville Florida. Ms. Connor has over 20 years of Banking experience and certified training in Financial Institutions such as Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo), SouthTrust Bank, and the RBC Royal Bank of Canada. She held various positions in areas such as Client Personal Banking, Quality Assurance, Auditing, Portfolio Management and Cash Management. Desiree graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Finance with a minor in Management Information System (M.I.S) and from Florida Metropolitan University with a Master of Science in Finance concentration in Financial Management and Portfolio Management. She is a member of Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) and has received designation of a Certified Balance Scorecard Professional (BSP) from the Balance Scorecard Institute through George Washington University. Consequently,
Ms. Connor is perfectly suited to offer sound financial guidance to the Board of Directors and will also act as an important link to the Ministry of Finance.
Director: Mr. Travis Merritt
Travis Merritt is a small business owner and operator of Dream Works Designs for the past 15 years specializing in Landscape Architecture. Mr. Merritt has exceled as a landscape designer and project manager throughout his professional career and has built and maintained many recognizable projects including the landscape at The St. Kitts Marriott Hotel and Resort, Park Hyatt Hotel, Silver Reef Condominiums, Pelican Bay Development, Ocean’s Edge Resort, Royal St. Kitts Hotel & Resort, and Ramada Hotel, to name a few. Mr. Merritt graduated from The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture. As a successful business owner, Mr. Merritt will be a great asset to the Board of Directors by sharing his perspective in project management, business management, and the needs of small business owners across the Federation.
Director: Mr. Asquith Watson
Mr. Watson is currently an I.T. Business Analyst in the Department of Information, Communication, and Technology and previously served in the same capacity at the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Entertainment and Talent Development (MoENT). Mr. Watson successfully earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems (M.I.S) with a minor in Sociology from Midwestern State University in Texas, USA. Mr. Watson has also received Certification from Harvard University – edX in Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. In addition, Mr. Watson is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of the People. Asquith is a social activist and believes in people empowerment. During his time overseas, Asquith volunteered in the Communities of School program, served as a teacher assistant in a Junior High School, and led a St. Kitts masquerade group at his alma mater Midwestern State University’s annual CaribFest Celebrations. With his experiences in developing websites and management of information systems, Mr. Watson will be able to offer sound technical insight and also act as an important link to the Ministry of ICT which has oversight responsibilities of The Cable.
Director: Mr. MJ Byron
Mr. Byron is a well-rounded individual with a passion for technology, music, and sports. For 7 years, Mr. Byron was a teacher of Information Technology, Music, and Physical Education at the Basseterre High School. He now serves as the Manager of the West Side Service Center for the last 4 years. MJ is also President of the Rams Villages Superstars Football club; CEO, player and composer of the Earl Boots Jones (E.B.J) Harmonics Steel Orchestra, and current Chairman of the National Carnival Soca Monarch Committee. Mr. Byron is also a Certified Level 2 IAAF Coach. With his business management experience, technical background and community leadership experience, Mr. Byron is perfectly poised to offer youthful insight into the business decisions of The Cable.
Director: Mr. Calvin Williams
Mr. Williams is a small business owner and the sole proprietor of Crown Prints, a graphic design and printing company. Calvin has over 14 years of experience in the Graphic design and printing industry after having worked for 12 years with Carib Craft and Graphics as a Senior sign Fabricator and now the last 2 years leading his own business. Mr. Williams is a trained professional in Corel Draw, Photoshop and SignLab. Calvin is presently in the process of obtaining a certification in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Mr. Williams has been serving on The Cable Board for the last 2 years and will be a valuable source of institutional knowledge for the transitioning to the New Board of Directors.
Director: Mrs. Zemone Phillip-Browne
Mrs. Phillip-Browne has served in various Administrative Assistant roles over the past 11 years including at the General Post Office, where she presently serves as Senior Clerk, the Office of Opposition Member of Parliament, and Reliable Security Services Ltd. Mrs Phillip-Browne has training in Human Resource Management, Office Management, Customer Service, and training in Counterfeit Currencies which she received during her tenure at Royal Beach Casino. Mrs. Phillip-Browne is also the small business owner and operator of Razzle Dazzle – providing services of drinkware and gift customization. Mrs. Phillip Browne will therefore offer administrative support to the board as well as the important perspective of the small mom and pop shops that need The Cable services to expand their businesses.
Director: Mr. Iroy Clarke
Mr. Clarke has over 15 years of experience in the field of Property Appraisals having served as Field Supervisor/Tax Inspector, Valuation Surveyor, and Tax Specialist in the Property Valuation Section at the Inland Revenue Department in the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Clarke holds a Master of Science degree in Real Estate & Property Management from the University of Salford, Manchester, England and a Diploma in Land Economy & Valuation Surveying from the University of Technology in Jamaica. Mr. Clarke also received training from the University of the West Indies in Advance Supervisory Management. As The Cable looks to expand its footprint and Fiber Network across the Federation, Mr. Clarke is perfectly positioned to offer enormous insight on the lay of the land for expansion opportunities.
Director: Ms. Beverly Knight
Ms Knight is a Senior Administrative Assistant with over 25 successful years of providing professional and efficient administrative support to senior level executives including Executive Assistant to the Office of the Prime Minister for 19 years and to the Leader of the Opposition for 4 years. Ms. Knight has vast experience in public administration, scheduling, event planning and coordinating high level meetings, conferences, and ceremonies. Ms. Knight has outstanding organizational abilities with a strong background in office management, reliable customer service, communication, and excellent computer proficiency. Ms. Knight holds a BA in Finance & Investment from the CUNY Baruch College, New York, an Executive Diploma in Public Sector Management from the UWI Institute of
Business and a Certificate in Public Administration Policy from the Public Service College in Singapore. With this wealth of Executive Administrative experience Ms. Knight will be an invaluable addition to the Board of Directors.
Ex Officio Member: Ms. Patricia Walters
Ms. Patricia Walters, CEO of The Cable, will serve as an Ex Officio Member of the Board of Directors.
