Veteran Civil Servant retires after 40 years
(CNS): The secretary of the Business Staffing Plan board retires today, but government officials have not said who will be taking over the critical post. Civil service veteran Karen Gourzong is retiring from the Department of Immigration after four decades as a public servant. She joined in 1974 working in the department of education but in July 1979 she moved to immigration, where she has remained for the rest of her career. She has worked with five chief immigration officers and assumed a variety of roles, acquiring considerable knowledge along the way, making her “an invaluable resource for her colleagues and customers", officials said in a release.
Given her length of service, Gourzong said she had seen a great many changes and growth in the services offered.
“I look back fondly over my tenure and thank my colleagues and superiors for the opportunities I have received. There are so many more opportunities now and I encourage younger colleagues to make the most of those offered to them. And I am happy to say that I am proud to have been a civil servant,” she added.
The current head of immigration, Linda Evans, said Gourzong will be sorely missed.
“We have been privileged to have had her service, and are proud of the positive impact she has made to the department. On behalf of all immigration staff, we offer our best wishes for a happy retirement,” she said.
The Business Staffing Plan Board has a critical role to play in ensuring that the country’s larger employers comply with the immigration law in particular with succession planning for Caymanians.
Category: Local News
Enjoy your retirement Karen you deserve it! I remember you being my favourite person in the office when I attended CIHS in 1975 until I graduated high school and you later transferred to immigration department. You seem ageless Karen the hallmark of a good person,good on the inside and beautiful on the outside.
Well done and well deserved retirement.Enjoy your golden years.
Congrats Karen! Very well deserved. You were always willing to help your Caymanian people in any way you possible could. I appreciate you! I hope you are able to really retire – God bless you and your family!
At least she was one that one could talk to. There are others that you need to write to. Gone are the days like our good ole friend Sharon who was willing to serve for her pay check.
Congratulations!!!! Karen all the very best for you on your retirement with your family – we will miss the Civil Service and our wonderful friends. It is now your time to move on with a wonderful life.
Thanks for you hardwork over the years Ms. Karen and best wishes for a relaxed and happy retirement!
Congrats Mrs. Guorzong. You joined and served through a time when it was honourable to be a part of the civil service – when a high standard of ethics and hard work were the norm. You leave at a time when those attributes are but a memory in the large part (there are still many civil servants with those values but I dare say they are the minority – sadly). Thank you for your dedicated service.
Enjoy your retirement!
Congrats to Ms Karen, and the others who have unceremoniously retired from the Civil Service in recent times – like Ms Geva, after 40+ years!
All the best Ms Karen, may you enjoy retirement away from the evilness of the service
The Business Staffing Plan Board provides for succession planning for Caymanians? Examples please?