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Executive Committee

Our Executive Committee is composed of esteemed industry leaders committed to guiding the association in achieving its strategic objectives. With extensive experience and expertise, these distinguished members spearhead initiatives that strengthen the growth, innovation, and resilience of our industry community.

Kathryn Silvera
Kathryn Silvera President
Sydney Thwaites
Sydney Thwaites Immediate Past President
Cecil Foster
Cecil Foster Deputy President
Damion Dodd
Damion Dodd Treasurer
Richard Coe
Richard Coe Vice President
Marc Frankson
Marc Frankson Vice President
Sandra McLeish
Sandra McLeish Vice President
Dave Fairman
Dave Fairman Vice President
Kareema Muncey
Kareema Muncey Vice President
Tami Brown
Tami Brown Vice President
Kamesha Blake
Kamesha Blake Executive Director

Mr. Sydney Thwaites

President

Mr. Thwaites has over 28 years of experience in financial services, petrochemicals, and consulting, with a global reach spanning the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He co-founded Lubricating Specialties Company Jamaica in 2015, revitalizing the local lubricant manufacturing industry. With a solid track record of organizational leadership, Mr. Thwaites has developed and negotiated long-term partnerships with major global companies, closed various debt and equity financing deals, and delivered consistent growth and returns. Known for his dynamic

leadership, trustworthy and ethical approach, and keen market understanding, he has served as CEO of LSC USA and held advisory roles with the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Petroleum Quality Institute of America.

Kathryn Silvera

President

Ms. Silvera serves as the President and Chairperson for the Special Projects Events and Marketing Committee. Ms. Silvera is currently a Director of Sales and Marketing, at Chas. E. Ramson Limited, and Director at Caribbean Foods Limited, manufacturer of Foska Oats. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Johnson and Wales University. Ms. Silvera has over 17 years of experience in Advertising and Marketing of local and international brands. Ms. Silvera is an avid Soca fan and food extraordinaire who enjoys networking over a good meal.

Damion Dodd

Treasurer

Damion Dodd is a finance professional with over 25 years of experience and is currently the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Secretary of the Seprod Group. As Treasurer, he not only brings to the JMEA a wealth of knowledge in the field of Finance, but also specialty in Taxation, having previously been a Tax Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Damion is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ) and previously sat as Advisor on the ICAJ’s Tax and Accounting Standards Committees. In addition to successfully completing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam to Level II, he holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Accounting and Economics from the University of the West Indies, Mona and is a Chartered Public Accountant (CPA) licensed by the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy, USA.

Damion is the Seprod Group’s representative at the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and was a Director of the Chamber for a term from 2018 to 2020.

In his spare time, Damion plays football, tennis and dominoes. He is married and has twins (a son and a daughter).

Mr. Sydney Thwaites

Immediate Past President

Mr. Thwaites has over 28 years of experience in financial services, petrochemicals, and consulting, with a global reach spanning the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He co-founded Lubricating Specialties Company Jamaica in 2015, revitalizing the local lubricant manufacturing industry. With a solid track record of organizational leadership, Mr. Thwaites has developed and negotiated long-term partnerships with major global companies, closed various debt and equity financing deals, and delivered consistent growth and returns. Known for his dynamic leadership, trustworthy and ethical approach, and keen market understanding, he has served as CEO of LSC USA and held advisory roles with the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Petroleum Quality Institute of America.

Cecil Foster​

Deputy President

Cecil Foster, Vice President on the Board of Directors at the JMEA is also one of the Founders of FosRich Company Limited, which commenced operation during the height of Jamaica’s financial meltdown. FosRich has grown from a micro-enterprise to a major distributor and manufacturer of electrical products. He pursued a Marketing Degree from UTech and is the President of the Adventist’s Layperson’s and Services Industry and the co-founder of the Good Samaritan Inn, a feeding program that provides meals to 1,200 persons.

Richard Coe

Vice President

Mr. Coe is a Vice President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA). Through the JMEA Mr. Coe also serves on the board of the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority and a business advisor for the Honeybun Foundation. Mr. Coe is the owner and Managing Director of Fleetwood Jamaica Limited, Orion Manufacturing Services and Starfish Oils; manufacturers and distributors of home improvement products, personal care, sanitization and aromatherapy products.

Marc Frankson

Vice President

Marc Frankson is the Director of Operations at Designs by Marc Limited, a family-owned garment manufacturing company. In this role, Marc is responsible for driving the company’s strategic vision, overseeing day-to-day operations, and spearheading its growth and expansion. Under his leadership, Designs by Marc has continued to thrive in the competitive garment industry.

Beyond his work at Designs by Marc, Marc is a dedicated advocate for youth mentorship and entrepreneurship. He has collaborated with organizations like The Y.U.T.E. Program and the Richard Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship to support aspiring entrepreneurs. Marc also contributes to the broader business community, serving as a board member of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) and the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA), where he leads the ICT Committee. His leadership extends to various nonprofit organizations, highlighting his commitment to both industry and community development.

Sandra McLeish

Vice President

Sandra McLeish is the CEO of Sankhard Co. Ltd. with two decades in entrepreneurship, public-private partnerships, and agriculture. Based in Jamaica, she is recognized for her leadership in agro-processing through the Springvale brand, which champions the use of local inputs and empowers female farmers. Under her leadership, Sankhard has won numerous accolades, including the Nicki Rowe Buy Jamaican, the Eddie Hall Award for New Manufacturer of the Year, Woman in Manufacturing and Exporting and Director In-Service Awards.

In addition to her business accomplishments, Sandra serves on the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association as Vice-President, the National Council on Education, and the Jamaica Expo 25 planning committee. Passionate about empowerment, she supports women in agriculture and small businesses across the country. Sandra is also an international development consultant in disciplines ranging from Climate Change, public health and sustainable development.

Dave Fairman

Vice President

As Vice President, Dave Fairman is responsible for the strategy, growth and oversight for all operations of The Best Dressed Chicken. Mr. Fairman has reshaped the organization ensuring that the brand remains a leader in product innovation. He has led the transformation of the business, driving productivity and efficiency through the introduction of new technologies and bold organizational redesign. In his 34 years, he has championed the cause of food security and a strong advocate for Jamaica developing comprehensive policies necessary for the industry to thrive.

Since joining Jamaica Broilers Group in 1990, he has held several leadership roles, including General Manager, Content Agricultural Products; General Manager, Aquaculture Jamaica Limited and General Manager, Levy Industries Information System. Most recently, he served as President, Haiti Broilers S.A. where he was tasked with the responsibility for establishing the poultry operations in Haiti. A Commonwealth Scholar, Mr Fairman holds a MSc. in Software Engineering, from University of Waterloo, Canada and B.Sc. in Mathematics with First Class Honours from University of the West Indies. He and his wife Sophia have three children.

Kareema Muncey

Vice President

Kareema Muncey, CEO of Home Choice Enterprise Limited, hails from Kingston. A proud graduate of The Queen’s School and the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, where she majored in Business Administration, Kareema embodies the principle that “consistency equals results.”

What began as a single product has blossomed into an award-winning Jamaican brand, now boasting over thirty diverse products sold both locally and internationally. In the past five years, Home Choice has expanded its reach beyond Jamaican shores, with Kareema’s greatest aspiration being to see the brand achieve global recognition.

Driven by a passion for supporting small businesses, she has successfully transitioned Home Choice from a micro to a small enterprise. Additionally, Kareema serves as Vice President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) and chairs the MSME Committee, further demonstrating her commitment to fostering growth in the business community.

Kamesha Blake

Executive Director

Mrs. Blake, a Development Economist with over twelve years of experience, has worked with the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association, the Planning Institute of Jamaica, and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica. She excels in policy development and strategic partnerships for MSMEs. A graduate of the University of the West Indies with a master’s in Economic Development Policy, she is also a certified Project Management Professional. Mrs. Blake, a former Ms. Jamaica Festival Queen from St. Ann, is passionate about nation building and economic growth.

Licenses, Permits, and Certificates: A Quick Guide

Apply for the necessary licenses, permits, and certifications at the following Agencies:

  • Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) Division: Contact for exportation of agricultural produce. A certified packaging facility is required. Specifications and guidelines can be obtained from PQPI.
  • Veterinary Services Division: Contact for export permits/licenses related to the following:
    • Apicultural products
    • Bee products
    • Animals and animal by-products
  • Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Agency (JACRA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Coffee
    • Coconut
    • Cocoa
    • Spices (including Pimento, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Turmeric).
  • Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Cannabis
    • Hemp
  • Mines and Geology Division: Contact for exporting the following minerals:
    • Bauxite
    • Limestone
    • Aggregates
    • Gravel
    • Alumina
    • Cement
    • Rock
    • Stone
    • Soil
  • National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap products (metals, batteries, etc.)
    • Hazardous materials
    • Endangered species.
  • Trade Board Limited: Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap metal (including scrap batteries and scrap gold)
    • Coffee
    • Ammunition (explosives and firearms)
    • Plasma
    • Wood (Lignum Vitae and log wood only)
    • Jewellery (excluding those from earth metals)
    • Brown Sugar
  • Ministry of Health and Wellness: Contact for exporting pharmaceutical products.

Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ): Consult with the BSJ for guidance on processed food prior to exporting. This includes information on standards, labelling and market requirements.

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