The Bahamas National Trust has announced the appointment of new officers and members of the BNT Council, elected at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October.
Joanne Smith has been elected as president of the council. She is president and creative director of Media Enterprises, and a former president of the Rotary Club of East Nassau and a lifetime member of the BNT.
Returning to the council as deputy president is Janet Johnson, a former BNT president.
Ashley Sturrup joins as honorary secretary. She is a lawyer with a background in the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs. She is also a member of the BNT’s Legal Affairs Committee.
Phillip Cumming has been appointed honorary treasurer. He is a chartered accountant and past president of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, and is also an avid birder and nature photographer, as well as a former financial controller of The Tribune.
Elected members of the BNT Council include: Geoff Andrews (immediate past president); Marvin Arrington; Glenn Bannister; Kevin Cartwright; Hank Ferguson; Janet Johnson; Marcus Laing; Neil McKinney; Devin Peet; Naisha Roberts; Karin Sanchez; Gary Sands; Tanya Woodside; and Eddie Carter.
Appointed members are: Dr Maria Woodside-Oriakhi, University of The Bahamas; Dr Ana Luz Porzecanski, American Museum of Natural History; Dr Karen Bjorndal, University of Florida; Christopher Hughes, US Parks Service; Meredith Ross, Leon Levy Foundation; Dr Pamela Reid, University of Miami RSMAS; Dr Barney Long, re:wild; and Aurelio Ramos, National Audubon Society.
Representing the Bahamas government are: Christina Davis-Justin and Holly Peel, Governor General’s representatives; Ashley Sturrup, Ministry of Education; Dr Kenneth Romer, Ministry of Tourism; Dr Rhianna Neeley-Murphy, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources; and Gregory Bethel, Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented and diverse group of leaders to our executive board,” said Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle, BNT’s executive director. “Their combined experience and dedication to The Bahamas’ national park system will be essential as we work to accomplish the goals outlined in our new five-year strategic plan.”
“It is indeed an honour to serve as the president of the BNT,” said Joanne Smith. “They have grown The Bahamas’ national park system to 33 national parks that protect marine resources, endangered species, and the habitats necessary for the survival of our island flora and fauna. I am looking forward to working with the BNT team and the council to ensure we meet our strategic goals.
“One of my goals is to increase the membership of the organisation and support sustainable finance mechanisms for the parks. I am especially grateful to past president Geoff Andrews, who has agreed to lead the Advancement Committee in successfully achieving our financial goals over the next five years. We hold our first full Council meeting at the end of January and look forward to working with the Council on initiatives that guide the BNT into its next chapter.”
To learn more about the BNT, visit www.bnt.bs.
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