KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) has announced the appointment of veteran agriculturalist, educator and business executive, Everett Hyatt, as its new director general, effective June 22, 2026.

Hyatt assumes leadership of the authority, succeeding Wayne Hunter, who served as acting director general from August 2023 to June 2026.

JACRA, in a press release on Friday, said Hunter played an instrumental role in advancing JACRA’s mandate to regulate, promote and develop Jamaica’s key agricultural commodities, including coffee, cocoa, coconut, ginger, turmeric, and pimento.

Chairman of the JACRA Board, Wentworth Charles, thanked Hunter for his contributions to the authority’s growth, while describing Hyatt’s appointment as timely.

“I also wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of the board, management and staff of JACRA, to express our sincere gratitude to Mr Wayne Hunter for his dedicated service as acting director general. During his tenure, Mr Hunter provided steady and capable leadership, ensuring continuity of operations and the steady advancement of the authority’s work during a critical period of transition,” Charles said.

“His commitment, professionalism and contributions to JACRA’s growth have not gone unnoticed, and we thank him most sincerely for his service,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Charles welcomed Hyatt’s appointment, noting that he brings extensive experience in agricultural management and regulatory affairs.

“We are confident that under his leadership, JACRA will continue to advance our mandate of promoting and regulating a fair, vibrant and internationally competitive trading environment for our coffee, cocoa, coconut, and spice industries,” he said.

Charles added that the authority looks forward to working closely with Hyatt as it builds on the gains made in recent years and charts the way forward for the agricultural commodities sector.

As director general, Hyatt will be responsible for guiding JACRA’s operations, strengthening regulatory oversight and advancing initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Jamaica’s agricultural commodities sector.

Speaking on his appointment, the director general said he is eager to build on the authority’s strong foundation and work closely with stakeholders across the sector.

“I am delighted to join JACRA and look forward to working closely with the board, management team, staff, and stakeholders across the agricultural commodities value chain. Together, we will continue to build on the strong foundation established and pursue opportunities that support innovation, growth, and greater value creation for the sector,” Hyatt said.

Hyatt brings more than three decades of leadership experience spanning agriculture, academia, agribusiness, marketing, organisational development, and public administration. Widely respected within agricultural and academic circles, he has earned a reputation for strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, agricultural marketing, and curriculum development.

His career includes senior positions as general manager of Jamaica Ultimate Tire Company Limited, programme director and lecturer at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, and advisor/consultant to Robert Montague, CD, Member of Parliament within the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development. He also served as director of sales and marketing at Carib Agro Distributors Limited and regional marketing manager at Antilles Chemical Company, where he helped expand regional markets and led farmer training initiatives throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Hyatt has also served on several national boards and committees, including the Board of Management of the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education (CASE), the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), and the National Police College of Jamaica. He currently serves as president of the CASE Alumni Association.

Hyatt holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the Mona School of Business and Management, a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and an Associate Degree in Agriculture from CASE.