JetBlue Boss Gets Hummingbird Award
Thursday, October 25, marked the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ's) 31st annual Hummingbird Gala and Banquet, but this year they were celebrating Jamaica's 50th year of Independence. It was held at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in the heart of Times Square in New York City.
This year's gala honored JetBlue Airways President and Chief Executive Officer David Barger for the airline's continued support of Jamaica's tourism and its commitment to charities aimed at improving the education and general well-being of Jamaica's youth.
David Barger was one of the founding members of JetBlue Airways in August 1998 and has since held various titles including his current as president and CEO. He is on both executive committee and the board of governors of the Flight Safety Foundation, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to air safety.
Barger, in his acceptance speech, noted that he was honored to receive the 2012 International Achievement Award and that he considers himself a member of the Jamaican family. He made it clear that the airline was committed to establishing the highest standard of customer satisfaction, performance and service within the industry.
The partnerships between the airline and various charitable organizations were highlighted by Tourism Minister Dr. Wykeham McNeill. These included JetBlue Airways' partnering with the New York-based charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach Inc, to support under-served children in Jamaica by donating travel certificates for their benefit raffle. In September they partnered with Grace Foods (US) to give 50 lucky winners the opportunity to fly from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Kingston, Jamaica, as part of Grace Summer Rhythms & Jammin' in Jamaica.
Dr. McNeill underscored the importance of corporate sponsorship in the redevelopment of the island and commended JetBlue in its efforts in this regard.
Special guests included Pamela Bridgewater, Ambassador of the United States to Jamaica, who introduced Dr. McNeill; AFJ outgoing president, Ambassador Sue Cobb, who was honored for her work with the organization by president-elect Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson.
Barger was not only presented with the achievement award by Director of Tourism John Lynch, but also a special gift commissioned for The Queen's jubilee celebration, by Ambassador Sue Cobb, who congratulated the honoree for his dedication to the advancement of Jamaica's children and its tourism brand.
The AFJ executive comprises president, Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson (retired), Ambassador Sue Cobb (retired), honorary chairs, and a board of directors comprising James A. Cada, Barron Channer, Ambassador J. Gary Cooper (retired), Sylvia Engel, Sydney Engel, Manuela Goren, Ambassador Glen Holden (retired), Mark Jones, Lorraine Lorenc, Ambassador Stan McLelland (retired), Dr. Laura Tanna, Monica Ladd and Lacy A. Wright Jr.
