Williams and Banmiller

Minister without portfolio in the finance ministry, Don Wehby, last week announced changes to the board of Air Jamaica, the national carrier.

The new board includes chairman, Shirley Williams, Dennis Lalor, Richard Byles, Omar Parkins, Carolyn Hales,Wilfred Bagaloo, Derrick Latibeaudiere, Colin Steele and Chris Berry.

Wehby also confirmed that an experienced airline veteran, Canadian David Banmiller, was among five persons being considered as the potential candidate to replace Shirley Williams as CEO of the airline. She will revert to the position of solely the board chairman. Banmiller, who served as executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Air Jamaica in 2003, has expertise in aviation, marketing and finance. He left Air Jamaica to take up the reigns of a Hawaiian carrier, Aloha Airlines, which emerged successfully through bankruptcy.

Highly regarded as a mover and shaker in the industry, Banmiller is known to make tough decisions. In less than one month into the assignment with Aloha Airlines, Banmiller reduced the company's workforce from top management down.

no negative reflection

Wehby stressed that the appointment of a new board did not reflect negatively on the previous board.

"I believe that we need a more focused board with a level of expertise of turning around and making some tough decisions for the airline."

The new board will be accorded the task of attracting investors through the divestment of the airline and support from international airline consultants.