JOHANN DaCosta never planned on pursuing a career in finance. In fact, as a youngster, the cost and planning supervisor at Jamalco dreamed of flying aircraft or working with cars, not crunching numbers and doing budgets.

“I didn’t have a burning passion to be a finance guy,” DaCosta said. “It’s a decision I made because of my long-term goal.”

By the time DaCosta entered the University of Windsor in Canada, he had already shelved his boyhood dream of becoming a pilot but was focused on remaining relevant in the automotive world although he was not exactly sure how.

“I spent the first year at university testing the waters, pursuing an undecided major,” he said. This indecision led to him spending an extra year at university.

It was during that year that he and his twin brother Ricardo decided that one day they would become partners in their own business and so Johann pursued his undergraduate degree in industrial engineering which focused on the business side of the engineering while Ricardo pursued mechanical engineering which concentrated on the technical areas. At the end of his studies, he chose to return home and immediately landed a job at Jamalco.

This opportunity he welcomed with both hands and to date, he has had no regrets as he really wanted to work in a large industrial setting.

At Jamalco, he serves as the link between the production areas and finance and he’s making a difference in helping each department find creative ways to monitor and manage costs. He also provides guidance on how to effectively manage the budget while trying to eliminate waste.

“Since joining Jamalco, everything has exceeded my expectations. I personally think Jamalco makes a fantastic place to start or continue a career as the company provides an opportunity not only to make a fundamental difference to the businesses you work for, but also for the wider community,” he said.

“I have developed a new perspective on how a business operates. Not only this, but the people help to make the experience richer.”

Always displaying a positive and optimistic approach to life, DaCosta credits his parents for his career anchor.

“As a youngster, curiosity fuelled my mind. There was this strong and insatiable desire for understanding how things work and how to make them better. My parents encouraged me to pursue my dreams and this is one of the main factors that influenced my mother to move to Canada so I could attend the University of Windsor which offered the degree programme I did,” he said.

Prior to going to Canada, DaCosta had migrated to the United States and this was the turning point in his life.

“If my brother and I had not gone away, I know we would have gone wayward,” he explained.

“On arrival in the USA, I had to do some introspection and this served me well,” he smiled. Today, DaCosta holds a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on finance.

Although DaCosta and his twin are thousands of miles apart, they remain very close.

“I talk to Ricardo every day.”

His advice to those at the start of their career is, “Focus on what you are passionate about and think about how you can make a difference. If you have a love for finance and desire to see change, then finance is a good area to pursue.”

To his colleagues he said, “No matter how trivial or boring something might seem, if you have an opportunity to take something on, then go for it. It will demonstrate your ability.”

Financial Controller Andrew Williams who for seven years has worked with DaCosta, said he is resourceful, dedicated and delivers on his commitments.

“He is always willing to go beyond the call of duty to complete assigned tasks and he ensures that the desired results are achieved,” he said.

And Technical Superintendent Ajamu Duncan who works closely with DaCosta during production forecasts said he is always well prepared and has facts to substantiate his position.

DaCosta may not have the time to dismantle cars or get involved in car racing, however, his passion for cars — fast cars — has not waned. Throughout his life he has owned several sports cars and his Mitsubishi Evolution usually announces his arrival at work long before the car is seen.

Fun-loving and easy-going, DaCosta is also a devout family man who speaks glowingly about his three year old daughter, Hayley and wife Jean-Marie.

His mind may be set on owning his own business or working on large capital projects overseas, but in the meantime, he is contented with his work of implementing cost reduction initiatives and helping to improve the business at Jamalco.