The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry has hired a new manager to fill the gap left by Ornell Bedasse, who quit last year.

Makeda Solomon, an English-born insurance and marketing specialist, is the chamber’s choice for manager. Solomon, who is of Jamaican parentage, first visited Jamaica in 1989, and made it her home six years later.

Today, Solomon faces the new challenge of increasing the Chamber’s effectiveness, a task which she does not intend to take on alone.

Said Solomon: “There are a number of new and exciting initiatives already in the pipeline, making this an opportune time for individuals and the business community in, and around Montego Bay, to join or revive their involvement in the Chamber,” she stated. “This is a remarkable city, with a lot of proud history,” she continued, “and with positive mindsets and renewed commitment, I know we can create even more historical accomplishments to make the Montegonians of the future proud.”

Commenting on her appointment to the post, Solomon said she was pleased to be part of an outfit which can, and which had in fact effected meaningful changes in the “lives and livelihood” of Montego Bay residents. “I plan to work closely with all existing and prospective members in order to get to the heart of what they want and need from the Chamber,” she continued, adding that her primary goal was to work closely with the directorate “to provide service to members and the larger community that consistently exceeds their expectations. It can and will be done!”

Chamber president, Mark Kerr-Jarrett, for his part, said he was confident that Solomon would be effective in her new managerial role. “She has the dynamism that can take over the administrative side of the Chamber and increase our effectiveness and service delivery in the community,” he said. “In the past, Kerr Jarrett continued, “we were restricted in service delivery because of our lack of a manager. We’re expecting her to bring a list of new ideas to the Chamber, to get it relevant and functioning as we should.”

In addition to her career in the insurance and marketing fields, Solomon is actively involved in the arts. During her 14-year amateur theatrical career, she worked as writer, director, actress and dancer. She also taught drama, performed on stages in the UK, Jamaica, USA and Africa, and conducted several drama workshops. Incidentally, she also did a stint at Montego Bay’s Cultural Arts Centre, where she designed an ambitious arts outreach programme for the city’s street children. Solomon is also a keen supporter of, and artistic participant in, the Montego Bay Little Theatre Movement (MLTM). Her latest foray onto their stage will be in the upcoming production of Patrick Brown’s December.