Top civil servants for 2024 named

Three civil servants were awarded for their exceptional contributions to the public sector at the Government of Jamaica and First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Civil Servants of the Year Awards, held Friday at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew. 

Andre Allen, manager for computer services at the Jamaica Information Service copped the Civil Servant of the Year Award in the managerial category while Barbara Williams Riley, field supervisor at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica came out on top in the mid-managerial category and Jeron Bonsfeather, psychiatric nursing aide at the Ministry of Health and Wellness in the technical support category.

Veronica Miller Richards, regional health records administrator at the Ministry of Health and Wellness won the people's choice award with 11,551 votes.

The top civil servants were nominated by their peers across the public sector.

In her remarks, finance and public service minister, Fayval Williams, emphasised the significance of the event in recognising and affirming top performers in the public sector.

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“Our civil servants embody the values of integrity, empathy, professionalism and a profound commitment to service. They form part of the backbone of our Jamaican society ensuring that our public service functions smoothly, equitably and with the interest of every Jamaican at heart. It is through this dedication that together as a country we become more powerful in the face of modern challenges making it possible for us to keep moving ahead with hope and determination,” she said. 

Michelle Tracey, assistant general manager, marketing, communications and member experience at First Heritage said her entity is a proud partner of this initiative. 

“Our public servants are true stalwarts having paved the way for a brighter tomorrow, one act of service at a time. At the [First Heritage] we are proud to stand by you and to celebrate the invaluable role you play in advancing our nation. Let us renew our commitment to lift each other up, to work together and to remember that when we serve with love there is no limit to what we can achieve,” she highlighted. 

In his reply on behalf of the nominees,  Allen, the winner for  in the managerial category said he is humbled and inspired by the awards.

“It is a humbling and inspiring moment that we can stand here today not just as individuals but as representatives of the collective effort and support of the public service. Together through our dedication, creativity and teamwork we can contribute to something far greater and create a flood of progress, innovation and transformation for our beloved country,” he said. 

Nominees from the managerial category included Diana Kellier from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Yvette Thomas-Sleem from the Office of the Children's Advocate and Arlene Bennett-McLeod from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Nominees from the Mid-Managerial category included Veronica Miller Richards from the Ministry of Health and Wellness along with Kerry-Ann Wilson and Cindy Archat both from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

The technical support category nominees comprised, Paulette Lewis from the Ministry of Education and Youth, Dennis Brown, from the Ministry of National Security and Jennifer Edwards from the Institute of Jamaica.