Fifteen Dart employees recognised for long-service and dedication

Fifteen employees at Dart – whose combined experience is 235 years – were recently recognised, thanked and celebrated by almost 500 of their colleagues at a special appreciation event at The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa. Two employees have been with the company since Camana Bay first broke ground in 2005, and an additional 13 staff members were recognised for 15 years’ loyalty.

Among those celebrated were Ivan Webb and Reynaldo Powery (20 years), alongside Davina Tresidder, Dawn Reid, Emily Sleep, Gary Gibbs, Jeff Zelaya, Michael Parsons, Perry Ezekiel Montoya, Pete Bridge, Robert Jones, Rosemarie Benwarisingh, Tracey Burns, Wayne Franklin and Whit Connors (15 years). Together, they represent a broad range of specialities including property, rental and asset management, risk, IT, HR, engineering and finance.

“Approximately 125 of our team members have been with Dart for over a decade – a powerful testament to the strength of our company culture and the shared values that make Dart a place where people choose to build their careers,” said Joanne Lawson, Dart’s chief of staff. “This milestone is about more than just longevity – both for Dart as a company and for each of these individuals. It speaks to the deep sense of belonging, purpose and pride our people feel in the work we do. We are incredibly proud that they have chosen to grow with us over the years.”

 

Reynaldo Powery, now a technical systems manager, recalls that he joined the company at just 17 years old. At the time, Dart had a mere 30 employees based in Grand Cayman.

Davina Tressider, a senior property manager, was originally hired as an event manager. She remembers that Camana Bay was still relatively small at the time, and everyone was buzzing about what the Town Centre would become. “It was exciting to see the vision come to life.”

Gary Gibbs, executive vice president, development recalled the faith he had in Dart’s long-term perspective and commitment to Cayman, which ultimately led him to join the company. And while the vision and portfolio have evolved over the years, he believes Dart’s company values have remained steadfast. “The people are really the glue that binds us together,” said Gibbs.

In addition to the awards given to the long-service employees, all Dart staff had the opportunity to hear from former Olympian hurdler, Ronald Forbes, who hails from Cayman’s own North Side. During his keynote speech, Forbes shared some of the many personal and professional challenges he faced during his journey to the Olympics, some of which nearly took him out of the race entirely. But despite the emotional, mental, physical and even financial hurdles he encountered, Forbes persevered toward his goal of participating in the Games.

Forbes relayed to the crowd that his grit and commitment to his athletic goals is transferable to any individual. “The athlete who trains endlessly to stand on that [Olympic] podium…their struggles mirror ours. Time and effort, together, is the most precious relationship you will ever have to manage. Embrace each challenge in your life with the non-negotiable will and determination that this is just another hurdle you must overcome. Set clear goals. Get out of your own way. And trust the process.”