Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten. Horizons Digital newsletter 1st half year 2010

		2nd half year 2010 Volume 02 - No. 8

Drs. Holiday given grand send-off to Governorship

Drs. Eugene Holiday, joined by his wife Mary Louise, receiving a gift from personnel.

On the night PJIAE threw him an elaborate farewell party, Drs. Eugene Holiday sat quietly in the front row of the beautifully decorated B-gates lounge that had been transformed especially for the event. He sat thoroughly enjoying each minute of the
extensive program. From time to time he would nod modestly as praise upon praise for his contributions to PJIAE were bestowed upon him. Every so often he couldn’t hold it in and would burst into laughter. And when it came time to address the large crowd for the last time in his capacity as President of PJIAE, he started off by praising his staff who had spared no efforts to bid him farewell. “I did not give them fish, I taught them to fish and tonight is evidence of that,” he said, prompting spontaneous applause from the crowd.

Drs. Holiday assumed the role as Governor of St. Maarten on Oct. 10, after 12 years as President of the airport operating company (PJIAE). Various speakers credited drs. Holiday with the development of PJIA as a pillar of stability and solidifying the claim the PJIA is the island’s single most strategic asset. The former PJIAE President, who said he was “deeply humbled” by the ceremony, entitled his speech “A Tribute to the Employees, Mission Accomplished.” He delivered what he called a “special and personal message” to employees who in essence are PJIA and PJIA its employees. This, he reminded the gathering, was his management philosophy.

He said that when he started his tenure in 1998, he immediately realized the untapped potential the company possessed, provided it could be steered in the right direction utilizing best business practices and a comprehensive approach. He said applying his people-driven governance philosophy was not easy, but it was done based on a set of “core values that bounded us together.” In praising his management team, Holiday said he hopes the team members will be entrusted with the wheel of PJIA to take it into the future. Whoever is appointed, Holiday noted, should adhere to best business practices.

Furthermore, he added, PJIAE’s only mission is to adhere to the objectives of the company, which include, but are not limited to, safety, quality and professional service to the people it serves. If future management works from a vastly different premise or try to serve any other objectives or interests, it would undermine PJIA’s position.

Drs. Holiday stressed that the remaining months of 2010 and 2011 remain uncertain because of a still shaky U.S. economy. He said while passenger movement through the first half of 2010 are above 2009 levels, they are still below 2008 levels. Therefore, he continued, the management of the company must be approached with caution and prudence. PJIA has to maximize returns from the limited business opportunities he said. “There is no substitute for good business management,” drs. Holiday said. Nevertheless, he said he is confident he is leaving a team behind who is prepared to meet the challenges ahead.

Speakers who praised the departing President, all hinted that the airport was losing a good leader, but that St. Maarten was gaining one. Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt, who has since been appointed Acting Governor of country St. Maarten, pledged to work along with Holiday for the betterment of the people of St. Maarten and trusts that Holiday, just as he did with PJIA, will put St. Maarten “En Route to New Horizons.” “We are all proud of your accomplishments,” Mr. Groeneveldt said.

Mr. Frans Richardson, then Commissioner of Aviation, said drs. Holiday was leaving a legacy that will stand the test of time and that his name will forever be synonymous with PJIA. He said drs. Holiday’s leadership style will be a benefit to St. Maarten once he starts his tenure as Governor.

Eloquently delivering a speech jointly written by staff, Director of PJIA’s Technical Division Mr. Mirto Breell, dubbed the evening a “bittersweet farewell” and lauded drs. Holiday as a visionary with steadfast leadership. This vision, he said, resulted in the phased development of PJIA. Mr. Breell said Holiday possesses “unimpeachable work ethics,” is always prepared, and taught his team the difference between authority and power. “Not because you have the power means you have the authority to do it,” Breell said.

At the end of the evening Holiday also presented members of the supervisory and holding boards of PJIAE with the airport’s corporate governance report as compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers and which was described as a positive report for PJIA in terms of executing good corporate governance. Commissioner Richardson, Lt. Governor Groeneveldt and Democratic Party leader (now Prime Minister) Sarah Wescott-Williams were also presented with the report. The gala night also featured musical renditions by the Philipsburg Brass band, the St. Peters Youth Choir, Melvin Hodge, LaVaune Henry and a dance by Dance Dimension Academy.