History of the PSOJ Hall of Fame
IN 1992, The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) staged the very first Private Sector Hall of Fame Awards, and I am very happy to be here, in this our 40th year, to welcome you all to our 24th staging. This event is the highlight of the PSOJ’s calendar each year, which gives us the perfect opportunity to recognise those among us in the business community, who, by their example, demonstrate that industry and entrepreneurship are the key to economic and social development in this the country we love so dearly.
I am pleased this evening to share with you, especially for those persons who are with us for the first time, the rationale for this award.
The Private Sector Hall of Fame started in 1992 during the presidency of the 2006 Hall of Fame inductee and my good friend and mentor, the Honourable Dennis Lalor, OJ. Since its inception, this award has recognised a number of Jamaican business leaders who have made significant contributions to the development of the private sector and the country. Nominees for the Hall of Fame should have served in Jamaica’s private sector for at least 25 years.
The Selection Committee comprises members of the PSOJ’s officer corps, and the two most recent Hall of Fame awardees. If the committee decides, in any particular year, that there is no suitable candidate, no award will be made. No posthumous awards are granted, excepting if the nominee dies during the year in which he/she is being considered for the award. Of course, this was amended back in 1992 to accommodate the induction of the late Honourable Carlton Alexander.
SOUND CHARACTER
The awardees should also have an in-depth knowledge of and commitment to his or her field and be of sound character and unquestionable integrity. High ethical standards should be the trademark of his or her business deals and practices. In addition, the nominees’ company or companies must be successful, with above-average growth.
Only one awardee is selected each year. However, at the inaugural Hall of Fame dinner in 1992, there were two awardees. The founding president of the PSOJ, the late honourable Carlton Alexander, OJ, CD, was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame, as was the late Honourable Paul Geddes, OJ. Their photographs and citations, as well as those of the other 23 inductees, are proudly displayed on the walls of our actual Hall of Fame at the PSOJ’s offices on Hope Road.
The citations provide an impressive insight into the level and depth of leadership, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit which have been the hallmark of the Jamaican private sector over the years.
The Private Sector Hall of Fame pays tribute to three important traits – successful entrepreneurship, leadership and character. The awardees cover the gamut of the business sector, ranging from manufacturing, insurance, tourism, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, the financial services sector, shipping and entertainment. We are pleased that some of our Hall of Fame inductees are here with us, and on your behalf, let me again thank them for the contribution they have made, and continue to make, to the growth and development of the PSOJ, the private sector, and to our beloved island, Jamaica. Please join me in applauding our past inductees who are here with us: Mrs Lorna Myers Hon Dennis Lalor Dr The Hon Danny Williams Dr the Hon Glen Christian Hon Karl Hendrickson Dr the Hon Marshall Hall Charles Johnston Mr Earl Jarrett Mr Douglas Orane Hon Lascelles Chin
ISEVEN NOMINATIONS
This year, the Hall of Fame Selection Committee received seven nominations, the most we’ve ever received in recent years, and can attest to the difficult task that the committee undertook in reviewing the nominations and deciding on the winner, ensuring that the eventual awardee met or exceeded the criteria for induction in the Hall of Fame. Anyone of those nominated could easily have been selected to be here tonight, which is testament of the difficulty in choosing the honouree. More importantly though, it speaks to the calibre of business persons in Jamaica, and specifically members of the PSOJ.
On behalf of the Selection Committee, I thank all our members who took the time to submit their nominations, as without you there would be no event tonight. To those who were nominated and were not chosen for this honour tonight, I want to assure you that the Selection Committee recognises your great contributions to the private sector, and I would urge our members to keep those nominations coming for next year.
Tonight we celebrate the induction of ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, a very generous man who is known for his many charitable efforts and his passion for supporting small businesses. Under his leadership, Continental Baking Company has become
Antony ‘Tony’ Hart, CD, JP 2013 Dr Glenford ‘Glen’ Christian, OJ, OD, JP 2014 the leading producer of innovative baked goods in Jamaica, which can be found all across the Caribbean and Northern America. Where small business development is concerned, some 34 companies to date have benefited from his Bold Ones Initiative, with over $200 million being spent.
He is well deserving of this award, as someone who has not only excelled in business but also believes in giving back to the community as an integral part of nation building.
I must thank the sponsors
who made tonight possible: National, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Cari-Med, GasPro, JPS, Citi, PROVEN Wealth, J. Wray & Nephew, Earl Jarrett, CD, JP 2015
Seprod, GraceKennedy, The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited and Business Access TV.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the 2016 Private Sector Hall of Fame inductee – Butch Hendrickson. DENNIS CHUNG PSOJ CEO