Ambassador Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s former envoy to the United States and permanent representative to the Organization of American States, has been appointed to the Senate.

Marks’s appointment was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who congratulated her and said he was looking forward to her continued contributions to nation-building through her service in the Upper House.

Shortly after the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) announced Marks’s new assignment, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith told the country that former chief of defence staff and police commissioner Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson has been appointed Jamaica’s next ambassador-designate to the US and permanent representative-designate to the OAS.

While OPM did not state when Ambassador Marks’ appointment would become effective, it said that she “brings a wealth of experience in diplomacy, business, and public service to her new role”.

OPM said that Marks has the distinct honour of being Jamaica’s first female ambassador to the USA and the only individual to have served in that role three times across two different Administrations.

“Her extensive experience in strengthening Jamaica-USA bilateral relations and advocating for Jamaica’s interests at the OAS will be invaluable in her new role in national policy and legislative development,” OPM said.

It noted that beyond her diplomatic achievements, Ambassador Marks has an exemplary record as an entrepreneur and business leader.

“As the founder of Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited, she revolutionised Jamaica’s financial services sector by introducing one of the world’s first Internet-based multi-payment systems. Her success in business, including ventures in agriculture, transportation, and real estate, has earned her numerous awards and recognitions both locally and internationally,” OPM said.

Ambassador Marks holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA.

She has served on more than 20 national and international boards, and was the first female president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Jamaica’s economic and social development, Ambassador Marks was conferred with the Order of Jamaica in 2024. She has also been conferred with honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from The UWI and Northern Caribbean University.

Meanwhile, Minister Johnson Smith, in her release, said General Anderson will assume the new role at a time when Jamaica looks to strengthen its security partnerships.

“His leadership and expertise will also be critical in advancing Jamaica’s wider priorities, fostering deeper collaboration with the United States while engaging strategically within the OAS. He will build on the strong foundation laid by Ambassador Audrey Marks, whose service has been instrumental in advancing our bilateral agenda,” Johnson Smith said.

General Anderson brings decades of experience in defence, security and strategic leadership. After serving as chief of defence staff he was appointed Jamaica’s first national security advisor and played a critical role in shaping national security policy and international cooperation.

As police commissioner he spearheaded modernisation efforts in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, advancing technology integration and organisational reform to enhance public safety and law enforcement.

“Anderson’s appointment reflects Jamaica’s broader diplomatic approach which emphasises experienced leadership in key ambassadorial roles. With a strong background in regional security coordination, General Anderson has facilitated joint security initiatives across the Caribbean, advising governments on national security frameworks and leading multinational security operations,” the foreign ministry said.

He holds a Master of Defence Administration from Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.