TelEm says farewell to retiring colleague

POND ISLAND–TelEm Group workers put on “an amazing show of affection” for retiring colleague Stanley David, during a surprise celebration at the company last Friday. The farewell event featured a production with photo slide shows, video tributes, recorded messages from overseas, songs and kind words from family, friends and TelEm Group’s top executives including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kendall Dupersoy. The highlight of the gathering was the attendance of some of David’s former colleagues from his days working at Landsradio, now United Telecommunications Services (UTS), and also former TelEm colleagues. Also present were members of his family including his wife Catherine, daughter Tamika Yhan, brother Oscar and sister-in-law Felicia Arrindell-Illis.

  Many spoke with fondness about David’s work ethic and particularly about his ability to be calm under any circumstance – a part of his personality that was repeated time and again during the two-hour celebration.

  Manager of Customer Care Veronica Browne said she had worked with David for the past 18 years and had come to depend on him as a mentor, colleague and friend. She said the celebration was very emotional at times, bringing some to tears even before it had begun. “He will be very much missed, not only by the department, but also by the many people in the community who interacted with Stanley on a daily basis,” she said.

  Dupersoy and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Helma Etnel, paid tribute to the long-serving worker and wished him much success and happiness in his retirement. They also thanked him for his sterling contribution over the years.

  Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Brian Mingo jokingly outlined the dos and don’ts of retirement for David. St. Maarten Communications Union (SMCU) President Ludson Evers praised David and other workers like him who have given many years of service to the company and warrant this type of recognition.

TelEm Group retiree Stanley David surrounded by his wife Catherine and former colleagues from Landsradio and TelEm Group.

  David said the temperament to which everyone referred came from his days working in the hospitality industry as a waiter in a restaurant where he was trained to be patient and courteous at all times – especially under pressure. “TelEm is a great company and it is very sad to be leaving after all these years, but it is time to give some years back to my family, my wife and my granddaughter especially who have been looking forward to this day,” David said during the event.

  He thanked his TelEm Group family for their “unbelievable” surprise, noting that they made him feel loved and appreciated. He thanked his former colleagues from Landsradio and also former workers of TelEm Group who turned out to join in the retirement event.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/67658-telem-says-farewell-to-retiring-colleague