Cable and Wireless says farewell to Chief Executive

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of staff at Cable and Wireless (C&W) along with business associates, well-wishers and friends showered their thanks and praises on Chief Executive Patricia Walters in a private farewell party held at the company’s staff grounds.

Walters was in the spotlight for the entire evening and was the recipient of many gifts and tokens from the various department representatives and business partners of the company. 

Her leave would be packed with the memories of the many tributes made to her in song, poetry, words of encouragement, and even in tears, for her “vision, passion, energy and sacrificial labour” she put into the company.

Vice President of Human Resource (C&W) Curtis Martin spoke on the behalf of the staff and described Walters’ stint of service as “extremely successful”. He added that Walters had worked tirelessly on building on the foundation and ensuring its development over the years and had shaped the business to face competition effectively.

“Her contribution to this company has been invaluable. It has the right mix, the right balance to it. It has a balance of both the human side and the business side of the company, and that’s what made her contribution so exceptional.

“During the four years, she has initiated many programmes including the Make a Wish Programme, which gives elderly citizens packages on Valentine’s Day; giving aid the Reach for Recovery Breast Cancer Support Group, which offered 50 free mammograms to less fortunate women; the Be Smart Scholarship Programme, which invests over EC$50 000 in scholarships annually for deserving students...her contributions can be seen on every level.”  

Walters, in response to the many tributes and farewell wishes said, “I am overwhelmed! This is more than I would have imagined. 

I really want to thank all of you for your support and your great work over the years. I have just built on the foundation that was built before me. All I did was to allow you [the company] to grow and mature in business.

“It’s been an absolutely wonderful experience. I think everything that I’ve done in my life prepared me to take this role. From travelling all over to working in Trinidad and even being here before, I really felt as though it was my destiny to come back here to give back.

“I wish that the company continues in success, continue the empowerment of the people of the Federation and the young people in business and entrepreneurs and the showcasing of the excellent skills in my employee team of staff managers and executives.”

The departing Chief Executive said the staff has had great talent serving the Caribbean region and challenged it to continue impacting people’s lives as “little things like service make the difference in people’s lives.”