Freeport, GB, Bahamas – This Wednesday the 30^th of October, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce will vote for its new Board of Directors for the 2013/14 year. It’s been a busy year for the Chamber as they have had many prominent speakers on a variety of subjects including VAT, the viability of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, review of current government policies and a visit from Former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur.

Current President, Barry Malcolm, is running unopposed, as will returning Treasurer, Tish Simmons and former Chamber member Carmel Churchill who will run for Secretary. 2^nd Vice President will be contested by newcomer Billie Bowe, Benchmark Consulting, and closing out the executive of the board will be long standing chamber member, Leigh Termath, vying for 1^st Vice President against well known businessman Raymond Jones.

The Chamber also has 10 Director positions; two of these will remain filled by Fiona Bellott and Sarah Kirkby serving their second year on the board, leaving 8 positions open. New candidates vying for this years directors are: Lynn Lowe, Kelly's, Larry Albury, Jetwash, Mick Holding, Grand Bahama Shipyard, Dan Romence, Bradford Marine, Kim Knowles, Hutcheson Development, Janet Albury, VIP Services, Derek Newbold, GBPA, Dwayne Fernander, Graham Thompson & Co., Sam Rahming, McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes, Lawrence Palmer, Insurance Management, Dillon Knowles, Consultant, Kevin D. Seymour, Consultant and Patra Albury of Pelican Bay Hotel.

“We would particularly like to thank Tony Lopez, GB Power Co., Lisa Turnquest, Atlantic Medical, Randy Thompson, PharmaChem, Charles Pratt, GBPA, Donna Jones, HG Christie, Raquel Beneby-Hart, Out of the Box Bahamas, Terrance Carey, Bank of The Bahamas, Ivan Chestnut, Tropical Shopping, Jacy Whittaker, Parris,Whittaker and Co., and Manuel Ruiz, MSC for their time and service to the Chamber,” said Mercynth Ferguson, GBCC Executive Director / Administrator. “Thanks to this team we have had a strong resurgence of our Chamber membership and it has grown into a stronger cohesive group.”

Elections will take place at the monthly luncheon held at the Pelican Bay Hotel, Canal House. All Chamber members are invited to attend and those unable to attend may contact the Chamber Administration for proxy votes. The new Chamber Board will continue its mantra “To provide the network, to sustain, promote and support business development in an effort to encourage growth and expansion in the Grand Bahama economy and within a healthy and clean community environment.”