LIME VP gets airport top job

| 08/02/2014

(CNS): Albert Anderson, who spent more than three decades working with local telecommunications service provider Cable & Wireless, now LIME, has been appointed as the CEO at the Cayman Islands Airports Authority. Anderson will start his new job on 3 March, when he will assume responsibility from Andrew McLaughlin, the authority’s current Acting CEO. With over 20 years of executive management and leadership experience, most recently as Vice President of Technology and Service Standards for 13 LIME businesses across the Caribbean, Anderson will be facing an altogether new challenge at the airport, which has been plagued with controversy over the last year.

“The board of directors is extremely excited that Mr Anderson will be joining the CIAA’s executive management team,” said Kirkland Nixon, the board chair, in a press release from the airport on Friday evening. “We are fortunate to have succeeded in recruiting such a strong leader who is a talented professional. We look forward to working with him and are confident that he will bring new and positive changes to the authority.

“This is an exciting time for the CIAA as we prepare to move forward with plans to redevelop our airports. As we eagerly embark on this journey, the Board is positive that the new CEO, with the support of the CIAA’s Team, will realise the Authority’s full potential and meet or exceed the expectations of its key stakeholders. We are very fortunate to have a number of talented and experienced team members and Mr Anderson will work closely with those individuals to ensure a safe and customer-focused environment for our visitors as well as the residents of the Cayman Islands,” added Nixon.

Anderson said he was looking forward with “anticipation and excitement” to the challenge and working with the board as well as its team of professional employees.

“This organisation has a steep history going back beyond the formation of the CIAA and it is indeed an honour to have been asked to take on the task of continuing to build upon the solid foundation that was laid by so many Caymanian aviation experts over the years. I have no doubt that the current team is very proud of that heritage and of what they have achieved. I will do my best to ensure that the value of that heritage is preserved and the organisation successfully achieves its objectives over the coming years,” he said.

Officials said that one of Anderson’s priorities in his new role will be the appointment of a number of executive management positions, including the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Human Resource Officer, to support him in achieving the organisational objectives. He will be responsible for the creation and implementation of the authority’s strategy and vision as well as developing the culture of the organisation. He will also need to ensure that the CIAA maximises its commercial opportunities with a view to achieving self-sufficiency, including generating a capital and reserve fund.

His other key roles include building a strong and competent senior management team and maintaining oversight for the progression of the organisation from both a financial and operational perspective. In addition, he will be required to ensure that the islands’ airports are managed in accordance with the safety and security requirements of local and international regulations.

Anderson holds membership in the Engineering Council and the Institution of Engineering & Technology in the UK. A staunch contributor to community outreach programmes, he is a Past President of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman and previously served as Chairman of the Quincentennial Committee for George Town, in addition to being a past member of the Central Tenders Committee and the National Trust of the Cayman Islands. He is also a former coach and member of the Cayman Islands National Football Team.

He also holds various engineering and electronic certifications from UK institutions, most notably a Master of Science (MSc) in Operational Telecommunications. Anderson’s appointment follows a strenuous and detailed assessment by an interview panel as well as scenario testing by the Portfolio of the Civil Service.

The board added its gratitude to Kerith McCoy, who recently announced his retirement from the airport, and Andrew McLaughlin, the most recent acting CEO, for “their valuable contributions” while the recruitment process to find a permanent CEO was carried out.

McCoy was appointed by the previous board following their dismissal of former CEO Jeremy Jackson following an internal report which made numerous allegations regarding mis-management at the airport. However, the board itself was then embroiled in scandal when several members were seen to be in major conflict, presiding over decisions for the authority which may have favoured their own business interests.

When a new board was appointed in the wake of the May 2013 elections, it began a review as well as a recruitment process for a number of senior management posts. This too led to even more controversy when a foreign national was given the HR job when many believed a qualified Caymanian was available. However, the work permit was refused and the recruitment process recommenced.

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  1. anonymous says:

    First order of business Albert. Only give free rides to the current employees of Cayman Airways, cut out all those free trips for former employees and their families, their cousing, their aunts and their brothers and sisters. Then cut their benefits with other airlines too, as these people are pratically living in Miami and Tampa every week.  Then those former Politicans that are flying first class, cut them too.  They are ALL getting free ride just to hope over to the USA to do their grocery shoppings.  Stop this kind of pigs feeding from the free trough. These free trips cannot buy fuel for the airline or maintain them.This has been going on now for too long and no one has the guts to stop it. Another thing too Albert, please stop those foreign nationals from processing the passengers to go on our National Airline, please hire former Policement or Prison Officers or former Immigration Officers to do this job.  They are properly trained to protect our borders and trained in security.  It does not matter if they are 60 or older, they are trained and most of them are able bodied Caymanians.

    • Anonymous says:

      lol all u have to say has NOTHING to do with the CIAA post. Poor u.

      go read a book

      • The real bobo says:

        The latter part of the comment applies to theAirport Authority, they control this aspect. So you go read a book.

  2. anon says:

    The Lions roar again…..Good luck Mr. Albert.

  3. ShoG says:

    I thought a major requirement for this post was 5 to 10 years related experience in Aviation Mgntdoesn’t make sense at all. There are a few Caymanians who do have the experience and the BSc and MSc in Aviation Mgnt from top tier universities why not look at them or bring someone in who has these qualifications. Its the same situation at CAL how can a CEO with no major qualifications with only work experience in the Maintenance be the man running the airline. Nepotism will destroy this country.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not sure if we are all missing something…post is for aviation airport………where its great a caymanian was hired, he has absolutely no experience in aviation airport experience???? Who put him there? 

      • Anonymous says:

        The horrors of dealing with travelling through the airport can be traced to the fact that the management of the place  in the past seems to have been a cosy club of a clique of Caymanians many of whom seemed ot have behaved like pigs at the trough, putting money before sorting out problems.  Unfortunately this government is more interested in ensuring locals get jobs than the best efforts are made to improve a key element of the nation's economy.

    • Anonymous says:

      Experience in the business is key yes! But you can be an over educated fool and be completely useless with the degrees. Kudos to you that have your BSc and MSc but can you do both? The degree is one thing but the knowledge and experience in the specific industry should be the most important.

  4. Jeffery Rivers (Not Anonymous) says:

    Congratulations Mr. Anderson. I have faith in your abilities and I wish you every success. The road ahead will not be easy with many obstacles to overcome. Hold true to your values and we shall benefit for your calm and measured guidance. Good luck with the politics from all sides.

    Disclaimer: I have known Albert for over 30 years and worked with him for 20 years. He is a good and honest man; able leader and manager. 

    • Anonymous says:

      For him to survive, he has to join the old boys club. 

    • Anonymous says:

      So he's a nice guy and know how to manage phones. What does he know about running airports?

      • Anonymous says:

        He is a Professional Engineer and not for example an ordinary journeyman electrician (who is also important ). A Professional Engineer's education and training provides one of the best foundations for a host of functions, some have even gone into medicine, or biomedical engineering, whilst others are into accountancy and Wall Street (ever heard of Financial Engineering). The problem solving ability that is inherent in such training leads naturally to some of the best decisions being made. Doctors do not design, manufacture or maintain the medical instruments that they use, but biomedical engineers do.

        Your $400 – $600 mobile phone that is in your hand is not the beginning and end of telephony, but is but an example of the multi $million investment that is managed behind the scenes, which the average person takes for granted.

        Serious effort needs to be made by the Education Ministry into equipping our young people for the future which is Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematics for Cayman to develop a diversified economy. And also educating the public on the importance of the subject which sadly is much misunderstood. The person doing the installation is given the credit rather than the real decision makers, designers and developers.

        As one P.E. stated " I can't tell my Doctor what to do, so why do you feel you can tell me what to do"?

      • Anonymous says:

        Albert did not manage phones.  He managed people.  He is a great leader.. Give the man a fair chance.

    • Isaac Rankine says:

      Albert, like Jeffery, I want to offer you my sincere congratulations on your new Position.As a man of integrity, I know that you will do what is right and just .

      Forget the naysayers…use the good people you have around you to make it a successful tenure.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Service standards at LIME?!?!?! As in the place where you wait on hold for 20mins then get hung up on 5 times, and when you do finally get through they have no record of the thing you're calling about (even if it is the 10th time you've spoken to them about it) and can't help you, then get rid of you by saying "someone will call you back" which they never, ever do?

    I moved house recently and LIME acted like it was a request they had never dealt with before.  Nobody could help me over the phone or by email or via the website.  In fact I had to fill out a form (which was only available physically from the store) and go and line up in person to give it to them. Wouldn't you think an internet company could at least have some basic processes available online?  Anyway it only took 5 weeks in the end.

    They should have called it Lemon.

  6. Anonymous says:

    What are the chances that this man will be able to face down peoples demands, let alone wish to do so?

    There are so many with fingers in this pie, starting with just about anyone that gets cheap travel, down to directors with commercial interests that the measure of his success will be the number of upset people, and remember, that many have ears in government. He would have to be a strong, principled and determined man to succeed before he is moved on!

  7. Anonymous says:

    I’ll give him 3yr! these politicians are toiling with people lives & making us the country look bad! Politicians need to stay out & stop ruining these islands!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Congrats to Albert, but would his experience and skill set not be more appropiate at ICTA, where the country badly needs a CEO with Albert's moral qualities.

    • Anonymous says:

      Totally agree!!! ICTA needs lots of attention. The laws and system are broken there as well. Yes, let's congratulate Mr. Anderson; however, I do believe a person with some form of Aviation knowledge would have been key. What does telecommunications experience have to do with aviation? I hope you know what you have gotten yourself into Mr. Anderson, as any true leader knows that knowledge is power and if you don't have a clue about what you are doing in terms of running an airport, i would like to wish you the best of luck.

      Let's not talk about "Real" Caymanian! those that make those comments are ignorant. Everyone came from somewhere. The question is were born on the soil? But does that confirm you are real Caymanian? Check your family tree and roots. So those that parents, grandparents, great grandparents all born in Cayman but your parents chose to have you born abroad for which i know plenty are not "Real" Caymanian? Sad mentality…

      For Mr. Andrew McLaughlin, I would like to take the opportunity to THANK YOU for all that you have done in the past few months with CIAA in the Acting capacity. You did more than any had the strentgh to do and the boost in staff morale is truly appreciated. Thank you for making us feel like people and not just workers. Seeing you at the airport 7 days a week for the past few months proved your commitment to CIAA and its staff.

       

      • ShoG says:

        I totally agree with you. This Airport is essential to the growth of this country so why not employ someone who has aviation related experience as well as a degree in aviation someone who had to do case studies for Airline/Airport projects among other areas of study. Several young Caymanians who would really make the changes needed are back from school who only need opportunity like this to show what the people of these islands are capable of. Every time for CIAA and CAL they hire these persons who have been in the system for years but what people should look at is that no substantial growth was achieved airline and airport are falling apart these people are the common denominator why these government entities are failing so why not give the young Caymanians an opportunity.

        • Anonymous says:

          It is understood that the former head of the ICTA was a navy pilot. Perhaps he should have been hired?

  9. Anonymous says:

    At last!! Congrats Albert and all the best in your new position. I feel that you will rise to the challenge and sort out the mess at CIAA. Proud of you.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Don't forget to pick up your gasboy card so you can get free gas for personal use too

  11. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Albert and well done CIAA! You will be the first leader at the CIAA with background, training, and experience in professionally managing and mentoring people.  An airport is a business with many elements that require specialists in their respective fields. We have always had the specialists, now we have  a strong leader.  That the right person for this critical post is a born and bred Caymanian is  "icing on the cake".

  12. Anonymous says:

    They will chew him up and spit him out just like they did the others..Unless he does the bidding of the politicians and their cronies on the board,t's just a metter of time!

  13. Anonymous says:

    Not taking anything away from the individual but what relevant experience does he have?

    • Anon says:

      One word…Leadership.

      If you don't understand the relevance, then you don't understand the role of a CEO.

    • Anonymous says:

      What qualifications do politicians need to run a country?  Its the only job where you dont need specific education or training,and you can be an expertovernight.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Responsible for service standards at LIME????

     

    I hope he does not use his experience or we are doomed, both the communications companies here have absolutly no service standards.

    I really hope you have been overwelmed by the LIME bureaucracy and you will be able to deliver better service in your new role.

     

    All the best

    • And Another Ting says:

      Albert Anferson is good man, a Caymanians man who is humble, dedicated and loyal. If the PPm so much as let or make any aspersions on his character, we shall have no other  alternative than to hurry them along with some good swipes of the cod. They know dey na fool.

      Good luck Albert and smooth skies we pray.

    • Anonymous says:

      "both the communications companies here"

      Yup that shows that your comments are valid, you are so caught up inside your own head you don't even realize that for the past 5+ years we have had 4 or more communications companies here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly what does the company owned by foreigners have to do withAlbert. It's I secured, uneducated, jealous persons like you who would rather spit venom than give praise to Caymanians who have EARNED their success. 

       

      How ow about you go work for LIme and you the owners what the standards should be….

  15. Anonymous says:

    Albert Congratulations on this position although I am afraid you will last no longer than the others. Working for Government, unless you are on the board or a chief officer is a thanklless job  and when it comes to the point where a scapegoat is needed, guess what you are it!

    This scenario has played out in so many other authority and to a greater extent in Cayman Airways. The Managing director/CEO position there has seen so many different people that the seat doesn't even get a chance to get warm before they are blamed and shamed and then let go. It is a shame that good Caymanians are used by the politicians like this. I can only hope and pray that Albert lasts a bit longer than the last four heads of the CIAA.

  16. Anonymous says:

    The right man for the job and a talented and experienced Caymanian! Congratulations Albert!

    • Anonymous says:

      Qualified in Aviation working with LIME?  I guess so.

    • Anonymous says:

      This ignorant mentality of who is Caymanian and who is not is absolutely sickening! Any one person holding status is considered a Caymanian in the eyes of the law and the country. If you went the United States and became a US citizen you are a US citizen…which means you earned it; just like in Cayman…you earn the right to be Caymanian. Just like the United States and most other countries they are built by immigrants. Anderson is descendant from where? Like McLaughlin, McLean and McCoy are from Scotland and Ireland, but yet most of East End, West Bay and Bodden Town are McLaughlin, McLean and McCoy. Let not the ignorance of society ruin what these beautiful have been built by…

  17. Anonymous says:

    Telephones are not airports.  Don't see why we should be excited.

    • Anonymous says:

      Its not the same type of technology but its the much needed leadership, brains and business acumen!

    • Anonymous says:

      What is your qualification as a leader?

    • Anonymous says:

      It is the passport that matters with this government.

    • Anonymous says:

      This has to do with airport  and not telephones yes. But in my humble opinion what is key here, is  that he is a good manager.

      One who is honest, fair, transparent, hard working and consistent.  Someone who won't be bought.  If he has a degree or the eperience,  then why not  on top of the strengths  listed,  he will do well. 

      We will all never be happy with who they appoint, but everyone deserves a chance.

      Congratulations Albert!

    • Anonymous says:

      What experience to you have to offer…

      • Anonymous says:

        I have been on a plane.  A couple of times.  So about the same experience as the new CEO.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations Aboo!  Awesome to have a man with integrity and the bonus of humility in this position!  Those characterisitics have been lacking for far too long!

  19. B. Hurlstone says:

    Totally beyond my understanding! The board of directors apparently know very little about running an airline.  If they did, they would have gotten someone with experience in the airline industry.  While Mr. Anderson has experience in several areas, none seem to be connected with airlines or air transportation.  If you wanted someone to run a clinic would you not get someone with amedical background?

  20. Anonymous says:

    Changing the CULTURE will be his biggest challenge.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Albert. I know that you will do your best to stabilize the Organization.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations Albert. Looking forward to great things for the CIAA under your leadership

    • Anonymous says:

      Congratulation Albert! lets start with getting the upgrades on the airport…pronto!! further more, don't let grass grow under your feet.

  23. Otherview says:

    Maybe now we can get WiFi on CAL.

    • Anonymous says:

      Let's start with electronic arrivals and departure boards first shall we?  Get over the 20th century problems before looking at the 21st century ones.

    • Anonymous says:

      What has that got to do with CIAA?

  24. Santana says:

    Welcome to the CIAA Sir. Happy to have a new leader and hope that you will look after our staff that has been neglected for so long. Looking forward to some new changes!

  25. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations, Abo!!!

    I know you will do well and will do the CIAA and Cayman proud.

  26. Turtle Stew says:

    Alas, they finally got it right and they said there were no qualified caymanian. Well done mr Anderson.

  27. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Albert! Atleast this time the board picked a Caymanian. Guess Kirky learned from last time.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sooo…what you are saying is Jeremy Jackson, Kerith McCoy and Andrew McLaughlin are not Caymanian?

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes Caymanians but also specialists. A generalist is needed at the top to lead the specialists below.

  28. Anonymous says:

    Lime has service?

  29. Anonymous says:

    Didn't know he had applied. I will only say further that I am not surprise that he landed the job!