fp Turks and Caicos

E. Jay Saunders, Digicel TCI CEO, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organization (CANTO) last week at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on the island of St. Maarten.

The AGM meeting was conducted from the 29th – 31st January, 2012 under the theme “Accelerating the Broadband experience in the Caribbean-Transforming the way we live”. The three day event focused on the AGM proceedings of CANTO and CANTO/IDB Broadband Forum project.

CANTO, which consists of 107 members from 35 countries, serves as a major trade association in the telecommunications sector, working together to further agendas and policy strategies relevant to the member counties. A Board of Directors appointed by the membership directs policy of the Association.

This strategy is executed by the staff of a permanent Secretariat based in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I am honored to be a part of the CANTO board. It is a very prestigious board, made up of very talented and seasoned telecommunications and ICT executives who collectively have more than 100 years of telecommunications and ICT experience between them, and who represent some of the largest telecommunications and ICT companies in the region. As the youngest member of the Board, I am excited about being able to learn from my fellow Board members, and I look forward to working with all the members to help CANTO achieve its goals,” Saunders said of the appointment.

Saunders was the only member newly elected to the board. Re-Elected members include: Linus Rogers, TSTT (Trinidad & Tobago); Julian Wilkins, Digicel Trinidad & Tobago; Lawrence McNaughton, Cable & Wireless Grenada; Lyrio Gomez, UTS (Curacao) and Davidson Charles, Cable & Wireless Antigua. Mr. Charles was also re-elected as Treasurer.

The other directors, Chairman, Dirk Currie, TELESUR (Suriname), Vice Chair, Karen Bevans, BTL (Belize) and Helma Etnel, Telem (St. Maarten) continue to serve as directors.

Saunders has previously held a position as the chairman of the CANTO Marketing committee, and hosted a meeting of the Board of Directors in the Turks and Caicos in June 2010.

The Chairman of CANTO, Dirk Currie in his opening remarks challenged members of CANTO nations to benefit from the existence and adoption of innovative ways through technology. Mr. Currie added that technology should be employed and made available to our citizens especially the youth. Mr. Currie further articulated that all users should be well educated so that they can really experience the benefits of these technologies that are available.

He added that with the key strategic objectives, CANTO is better equipped to withstand the winds of change, as all members come together in a united front.

The acting Secretary General of CANTO, Mrs. Teresa Wankin (HR & Operations Manager) also addressed delegates on behalf of the Secretary General and highlighted the full slate of activities planned for 2012 including the upcoming Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition in Miami from 22nd – 25th July 2012.

Photo: Back Row: Mr. Lyrio Gomez, Mr. Angus Steele, Mr. Julian Wilkins, Mrs. Helma Etnel, Mr. Linus Rogers, Mr. E. Jay Saunders; Front Row: Ms. Teresa Wankin, Mrs. Karen Bevans, Mr. Dirk Currie, Mr. Davidson Charles