The Freeport News: The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce has a new president after the annual election of officers and directors were held at Ruby Swiss yesterday.

John Swain, the former first vice president went uncontested and was instated as president, taking the reigns from former president, Peter Turnquest, who served two terms consecutively.

Swain addressed the Chamber for the first time as president yesterday.

"I just want to thank all of you today for just allowing me to be the president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce. It's such an honor and I am humbled by it," he said.

Swain said he takes his new responsibility seriously, as the Chamber exists to serve the needs of the island's business community.

"It is something that as we all are elected to this board, we have to come with a mind to work and to look and seek ways to better the business community in Grand Bahama," he said.

Swain said Grand Bahama is one of the best, if not the best place to live in the country.

"I believe we are at the beginning of new things. I expect that things will change and I have come with a view of being more optimistic," he said. "I believe that in every situation you are in, there is an opportunity."

Swain said people must learn how to manage and conduct business with less, so that when they have more they can better appreciate what they have.

"I think it will make us all better business managers because I look at the business economy as two ways. One of the ways is as if we are on a ship and we are sailing to various destinations," he noted.

Swain said being in an island nation, Bahamians know that when sailing it will not always be a smooth ride.

"Sometimes we are going to go through some rough seas. Sometimes it's going to be choppy, sometimes there is not going to be any wind blowing at all, especially if you have a sail," he said. "All of these things effect whether or not we are going to reach that safe harbor, that place where there is economic joy and comfort and whether or not we can sit back and relax."

Swain said during tough economic times, small businesses are the ones that stick around, adding that strengthening small businesses will be one of his focuses as president.

"I believe that when you really look at it, the small businesses are the ones that really employ the larger number of Bahamians on Grand Bahama. We have to start looking at ways where the Chamber, itself, will be that beacon, that place where many who want to be in business or who are in business would come to find the resources that they need and where if we don't have the answers, we will know where the answers are and get the answers for them," he said.

Former president Peter Turnquest expressed confidence that Swain has the ability to effectively lead the Chamber.

"I know that John can handle it and he will be an excellent representative from the business community on Grand Bahama," he said.

Turnquest said he looked forward to working with him and to seeing Swain's successes as the new president.

Other officers elected yesterday were first vice president, Tony Lopez; second vice president, Lisa Turnquest; treasurer, Wayne Russell and secretary Tanya Carey.

The newly elected board of directors include Donna Laing-Jones, Raquel Hart, Jacy Whittaker, Terrence Carey, Charles Pratt, Manuel Ruiz, Leigh Termath, Randy Thompson, Ivan Chestnut and Christopher Baker.

SOURCE