About Joey Issa
The founder of the Cool Group of Companies, Joseph J. Issa has devoted his life to improving the Jamaican economy and ensuring
the continued economic growth of his company. Through Cool, Joseph J. Issa has holdings in a variety of different industries, from oil to network marketing, and has produced hundreds of new jobs for individuals in Jamaica and abroad. He began his working career in the hotel industry by working for his family’s resorts, SuperClubs.
Starting as a Purchasing Manager, he later became Resident Manager and finally, Executive Vice President of Operations, Sales, and Marketing. He earned recognition as Young Hotelier of the World in 1994 through the International Hotel Association and the Jamaica Observer called him the “Brightest Spark” in tourism. Joseph J. Issa capitalized on the business experience he gained in the hotel industry to build the Cool Group of Companies from the ground up. Cool has become an internationally recognized brand due to his business acumen.
Throughout his career, Joey Issa has demonstrated a thorough understanding of how best to market a product. He created a number of memorable campaigns for SuperClubs and his efforts received much international attention.
Joe Issa attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating at the top of his class with a degree in Economics and Accounting. He became the first foreign student majoring in Economics/Accounting to graduate from the college as valedictorian. Committed to education, he has worked hard to improve educational opportunities in Jamaica and other Caribbean nations through a variety of initiatives, including the Educate the Children Fund, which he personally established.
Summary
ISSA, Joseph John, J.P., BA, CPA; Phi Beta Kappa Holy Cross, 1988, Valedictorian.
Founder and Chairman of the dynamic Cool Group of Companies since 1995, whose business model and outlook are similar to Richard Branson’s Virgin Group. The Cool Group celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2010. Through its affiliates and subsidiaries, Cool is engaged in an array of businesses, ranging from oil & telephone card distribution to network marketing.
The Cool Group started with one gas station in St. Ann’s Bay in 1995, and through its Cool Oasis subsidiary, is currently the largest indigenous operator of petrol stations in Jamaica. Through Cool Automotive Distributor, the company is among the leading retailers of automobile-related lubricants and selected accessories in Jamaica. The Cool Group is the only one of the top 50 companies in Jamaica in 2010, whose head office is located in St. Ann, the birthplace of Bob Marley, creating hundreds of jobs in both the parishes of St. Ann and St. Mary.
Experience
| 2003 – Present | Chairman, Cool Group of Companies |
| 1998 – 2003 | Executive Vice President – SuperClubs |
| 1996 – 1998 | Senior Vice President – Sales, SuperClubs |
| 1995 – 1996 | Vice President, Development & Special Projects, SuperClubs |
| 1993 – 1995 | General Manager – Grand Lido Sans Souci, SuperClubs |
| 1992 – 1993 | General Manager – Couples Hotel, SuperClubs |
| 1989 – 1992 | Resident Manager – Grand Lido Negril, SuperClubs |
| 1988 – 1989 | Purchasing Manager – Grand Lido Negril, SuperClubs |
President
| 2010 – Present | Mammee Bay Club Ltd. (1987) |
| 1997 – 1999 | St. Ann Chamber of Commerce |
| 1997 – 2007 | Jamaica Jet Sport Boating Association |
Director
| 2007 – 2009 | Guardian Life Limited |
| 2005- 2007 | Supreme Ventures Limited |
| 2000 – Present | Holy Cross Scholarship Fund |
| 2000 – 2009 | First Global Bank |
| 1995 – 1998 | Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, Chairman – Finance Committee, Marketing Committee |
| 1993 – 1999 | Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association Council |
| 1993 – 2002 | St. Ann Chamber of Commerce |
| 1990 – 1993 | Negril Chamber of Commerce |
Honours
| 2006 | Campion Alumnus |
| 2003 | Honorary Rotarian for Life |
| 1997 | Keys to the City of Florida |
| 1997 – 2000 | Travel Agent Magazine’s 100 Rising Stars 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| 1997 | Justice of the Peace – St. Mary, Jamaica |
| 1996 | Honorary Kiwanian for Life |
| 1994 | Young Hotelier of the World |
| 1988 | Massachusetts Society of CPA’s Inc. Most Outstanding Junior Student Award |
Education
| 1988 | Certified Public Accountant – Youngest Resident Jamaican to pass all 4 parts of CPA examination in one sitting |
| 1984 – 1988 | College of the Holy Cross, B.A. (Honours, Cum Laude) Valedictorian, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Sigma Nu, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Dana Scholar Major: Economics/Accounting |
| 1986 – 1987 | London School of Economics |
| 1977 – 1984 | Campion College |
Other
| 2016 – Present | Board Member, St. Ann Development Company |
| 2016 – Present | Board Member, Tourism Enhancement Fund |
| 2016 – Present | Board Member, National Insurance Fund |
| 2016 – Present | Board Chairman, Passport Immigration & Citizenship Association |
| 2004 | Board Member, Seville Great House Development Committee |
| 1998 | Founder, Holy Cross Jamaica Scholarship Fund |
| 1996 | Member of the Young Presidents Organization |
| 1991 | Founder, Global Education 2000 |
| 1988 | Founder, Editor, Holy Cross Journal of Political Economy |
| 1988 | President, Holy Cross International Students’ Union |
| 1987 | Founder, Educate the Children Fund, London School of Economics |
| 1983 | Eucharistic Minister |
| 1982 | Head Masters Cup – Campion College |
Interests
Squash, Jet Skiing, Swimming, Mahjong, Bridge, Water Skiing, JetPacking, Poker