FHC HONOURS THREE NEW CIVIL SERVANTS 2024-25 AWARDS
Three more career civil servants have been awarded for their service at the First Heritage Cooperative Credit Union Limited (FHC) Civil Servants of the Year Awards on Friday, November 15, 2024.
They are Jamaica Information Service Manager for Computer Services Andre Allen in the Management category; Statistical Institute of Jamaica Field Supervisor Barbara Riley-Williams in the Mid-Managerial category; and Health and Wellness Psychiatric Nursing Aide Jeron Bonsfeather in the Technical Support category.
The awards ceremony, held at the Terra Nova under the theme ‘Innovate, Elevate, Celebrate — Advancing a Nation’ capped off a five-month process. There were over 400 nominations; 12 shortlisted and interviewed, which led to the announcement of the 3 winners of each category, as well as the People’s Choice Winner. The People’s Choice winner is Veronica Miller Richards, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Regional Health Records Administrator, who amassed over 11,ooo votes from a total of approximately 24,000 votes.
“Our public servants are true stalwarts, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow, one act of service at a time,” declared acting FHC CEO Quilston Harrison, in his remarks read by Michelle Tracey, FHC Assistant General Manager of Marketing, Communications and Member Experience. “Today especially through this occasion, it is most fitting as each task our civil servants take on, each challenge they overcome, fills that basket of progress that makes Jamaica stronger, kinder, and more resilient.”
The civil servants and other attendees also received remarks from Minister of Finance and the Public Service Honourable Fayval Williams; Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service in the Office of the Cabinet Honourable Audrey Sewell; FHC Board Chairman Camelle Ricketts-Moore read by FHC Board Treasurer Nickiesha Walsh; Jamaica Civil Service Association President Techa ClarkeGriffiths read by Second Senior VP Kelvin Thomas; and keynote speaker and Managing Director of Select N’ Start Jeffrey Azan.
Hosted in partnership among FHC, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and Government of Jamaica Civil Service Week Committee, the ceremony kicks off the observance of Civil Service Week between November 17 and 23 this year.
“Public sector workers are the cornerstones of any vision of transformation and nation-building. You are the innovators to develop solutions, the leaders to inspire action and the workers to implement change,” Cabinet Secretary Sewell said. “As such, to achieve the shared goal of a transformed public service and a better Jamaica it requires the continued demonstration of creativity, innovation and the collective efforts of public sector workers, trade unions to represent the workers and the citizens to advance the vision of building a brighter and better Jamaica.”
Years of Excellent Service
Bonsfeather was awarded in the Technical Support category due to his continual upliftment of others through his role at the South East Regional Health Authority, Community Mental Health Services Department. He provides service across Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. Catherine where he works hard to advocate for the destigmatisation of mental health within these communities. Bonfeather also serves as First Vice-President of the Psychiatric Nursing Aide Association for the past three consecutive years.
Riley-Williams has over 42 years in Government service, entirely at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). The rural St Catherine native has devoted her service to fostering strong relationships within her team while cultivating a cohesive and productive work atmosphere. Her success at leadership is also shown during her tenure as a field supervisor at STATIN as well as the former president of the Rotary Club of May Pen. There she led numerous outreach programmes impacting local schools, hospitals, and communities in Clarendon. Under her leadership, the club garnered unprecedented recognition, including the prestigious Super Club of the Year award and the District Governor’s Award for “Making a Difference” by serving humanity.
Allen has served the JIS for 13 years, managing the primary information and communication technology infrastructure of this state media agency. His leadership of the team of skilled information technology specialists who maintain the information and communication technology systems across various JIS divisions and regional offices is unparalleled. During the COVID-19 pandemic, bolstered communication transparency between the government and the citizens by instrumental work in establishing the government’s webstreaming platform, that included the Post Cabinet and other Press Briefings. He was also the co-chairman for the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System at JIS for the 2023/24 period and spearheaded several transformative projects, including the redesign of the JIS and the launch of the FactCheckJA website.
In the response from the winners, Allen said: “It is humbling and inspiring to be gathered not just as individuals but as representatives of the collective effort and spirit of the public service. Even on our own we may feel small and ordinary but together through our dedication, creativity and teamwork, we can contribute to something greater and create a flood of progress.”
Tracey reiterated, in the vote of thanks, that the FHC Credit Union was proud to stand by the civil servants and to celebrate their invaluable role in advancing Jamaica.
Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service in the Office of the Cabinet, Honourable Audrey Sewell addressed the FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 15, 2024.
Minister of Finance and the Public Service the Honourable Fayval Williams (3rd left) stands proudly with the nominees of the FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 Awards along with Honourable Audrey Sewell (centre), Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service in the Office of the Cabinet; Michelle Tracey (3rd right), FHC Assistant General Manager - Marketing, Communications and Member Experience, Lois Walters (2nd right), Acting Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and Jeffrey Azan, guest speaker and Managing Director of Select N’ Start.
FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 Awards ceremony keynote speaker and Managing Director of Select N’ Start Jeffrey Azan spoke on the theme ‘Innovate, Elevate, Celebrate — Advancing a Nation’ at the Terra Nova AllSuite Hotel on Friday, November 15, 2024.
FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 People’s Choice Awardee Veronica Miller Richards (left), Ministry of Health and Wellness Regional Health Records Administrator, accepts her prizes from Shakiel Rochester Shorter, Acting Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 awardee in the Technical Support category Jeron Bonsfeather (centre), Health and Wellness Psychiatric Nursing Aide with the Ministry of Health and Wellness receives his winner’s citation from Michelle Tracey (left), FHC Assistant General Manager — Marketing, Communications and Member Experience and Lois Walters, Acting Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 awardee in the Managerial category Andre Allen (centre), Jamaica Information Service Manager for Computer Services accepts his winner’s citation from Michelle Tracey (left), FHC Assistant General Manager — Marketing, Communications and Member Experience and Lois Walters, Acting Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 awardee in the Mid-Managerial category Barbara Riley-Williams (centre), Statistical Institute of Jamaica Field Supervisor receives her winner’s citation from Michelle Tracey (left), FHC Assistant General Manager — Marketing, Communications and Member Experience and Lois Walters, Acting Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
Michelle Tracey (left), FHC Assistant General Manager — Marketing, Communications and Member Experience and Lois Walters (right), Acting Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service share the proud moment with the FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 awardees (from left) Ministry of Health and Wellness Psychiatric Nursing Aide Jeron Bonsfeather; Statistical Institute of Jamaica Field Supervisor Barbara Riley-Williams; and Jamaica Information Service Manager for Computer Services Andre Allen.
FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 awardees Ministry of Health and Wellness Psychiatric Nursing Aide Jeron Bonsfeather (left); Statistical Institute of Jamaica Field Supervisor Barbara Riley-Williams (centre); and Jamaica Information Service Manager for Computer Services Andre Allen proudly display their winners’ cheques.
FHC Civil Servants of the Year 2024-25 awardees (from left) People’s Choice winner Ministry of Health and Wellness Regional Health Records Administrator Veronica Miller Richards; Ministry of Health and Wellness Psychiatric Nursing Aide Jeron Bonsfeather; Statistical Institute of Jamaica Field Supervisor Barbara RileyWilliams and Jamaica Information Service Manager for Computer Services Andre Allen.
FHC Credit Union proudly participated in International Credit Union Day on Thursday, October 17, joining cooperatives around the globe to celebrate under the 2024 theme, “One World Through Cooperative Finance.” The festivities underscored the Credit Union’s commitment to enhancing its members’ lives by providing meaningful support throughout their financial journeys. Members were treated to tokens of appreciation, health check-ups, refreshments, and a variety of engaging activities, all designed to promote financial well-being and foster a strong sense of community.
The day’s activity strongly highlighted the essential role members play in the organisation’s success. FHC Credit Union has long been a trusted partner, assisting individuals in achieving various financial goals, from saving for their dream home to ensuring comfortable retirement. The celebrations reinforced the notion that, akin to the roots of a tree that offer stability and nourishment, members form the foundation of FHC Credit Union. As the day progressed, the collective strength and commitment of the credit union movement were distinctly at the forefront of the celebration.
A delighted member at the FHC Spanish Town Branch smiles while holding a photo frame, thrilled to be part of the International Credit Union Day festivities and enjoy the in-branch celebrations.
Long-standing member cutting the celebration cake at Portmore Branch during Member Appreciation Day on International Credit Union Day, with Branch Manager Tania Oglesby (centre) and other members looking on.
A nurse carefully administers a blood pressure check to a member of the FHC Old Harbour Branch during Member Appreciation Day.
FHC Credit Union brought holiday cheer to its members with the second staging of its Jolly Jubilee Lunch Hour Christmas Concert on December 12, 2024, held at the Head Office parking lot. The event was a festive celebration of the season, offering a mix of live performances, exciting prizes, and delightful surprises for all in attendance.
As a special Christmas treat for its members, the event celebrated community, health, and holiday spirit. The Jolly Jubilee Lunch Hour Christmas Concert continues to be an eagerly awaited tradition, allowing FHC Credit Union to thank its members for their continued support and spread joy and goodwill during the holiday season.
The concert featured talented local performers, including the Ashmay Dance Group, Roy Rayon, Carey Sayles, Nickeishia Barnes, and Daniel Jackson, who kept the crowd energized and entertained, creating a vibrant atmosphere that encapsulated the spirit of Christmas. Attendees were also treated to free health check-ups courtesy of Fit Life Medical Centre, adding an extra layer of care to the festive event. Additionally, small business owners and manufacturers from corporate Jamaica, such as Herboo, Lala’s Delight, and MMK, along with National Bakery, Honey Bun, and Nestlé, showcased their products as exhibitors, offering attendees the chance to shop and support local businesses.
Acting CEO Quilston Harrison commented, “Each year, we take the opportunity to thank our members and clients for their continued business and support and celebrate with them as we ring in the yuletide season together.” He further added, “On behalf of the FHC Board, Management Team, and Team Members, we wish all members and clients a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and many happy returns for 2025!”
