Ocho Rios, St. Ann – The St. Ann Chamber of Commerce is to hold its annual general meeting at the Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios this Saturday, and for the first time in three years it will be electing a new president.
Senior vice-president of the SuperClubs chain and 1994 Young Hotelier of the World awardee, 31-year-old Joseph J. Issa, is the man set to replace outgoing president, St. Ann businesswoman. Jeanne Dixon.
A past student of Campion and the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, USA where he graduated cum laude in Accounting and Economics. Mr. Issa is said to have the backing of most Chamber members, and is, according to one member, ‘a virtual lock” to secure the St. Ann Chamber’s top post.
The Gleaner caught up with Issa at his Ocho Rios office and though he expressed confidence in being elected, cautioned that he is not about to “open the champagne bottles” as the votes are still not yet tallied.
Mr. Issa, however, had high praise for the departing president, calling Mrs. Dixon the best leader the Chamber has ever had. “Jeanne has been an inspiration to all of us,” he emphasised. “Personally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.”
He sees the St. Ann Chamber at a crossroads and promised that, if elected, his first priority as president would be to bring about peace between business factions in the St. Ann community. “For some time now, there have been too many conflicts involving the business people in this parish,” Issa said. “We need to promote peace and start healing the wounds. To that the new Chamber board, despite the huge tasks ahead, will be the catalyst
to achieve this endeavour.”
Source: The Gleaner
