Wed | Dec 24, 2025

GKRS: 20 years and counting

Published:Friday | November 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Good friends Lucinda Clarke (left) and Dean Moriah, entertainment and public relations manager at Grand Lido Negril Resort, knock heads.
Western Union location owner/agent Carlene Brissett (left) chit-chats with Nadine Orr, at the pre-banquet reception. - Photo by Noel Thompson
Edward 'Teddy' Alexander, a former director of GraceKennedy Remittance Services (GKRS), listens to what Joan-Marie Powell, GKRS managing director has to say.
Brian Fox (left), general manager of Western Union, Canada, in the company of Courtney Campbell (centre), GraceKennedy Financial group CEO, and wife, Pauline Campbell. - Photos by Noel Thompson
Sean Mason (left), country director for Western Union International, engages Noel Greenland, vice-president of marketing and product development, in conversation.
GraceKennedy Remittance Services representing Canada and Trinidad are (from left) Stacy Henriques, Nicole Aikman-Smith and Ronald Thompson.
Noel Greenland enjoys an enviable position between Kameka Walker (left) and Karen Kerrett. - Contributed
These ladies enjoy the attention of the camera. From left are Tanique Chin, Carlene Duncan, Ann Marie Brown and Donette Ann Tibby. - Contributed
From left: Denise Martin, Kamesha Simpson Gordon, Althea Johnson-Marriott, Eloeen Haughton and Nicola Richards. - Contributed
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Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Twenty years ago, GraceKennedy Remittance Services (GKRS) partnered with United States-based Western Union Money Transfer Services to facilitate families and friends living overseas in sending and receiving money.

That deal totally revolutionised the conventional landscape of money transfer and only got better with the passage of time.

Don Wehby, GKRS' group chief operating officer, reminisced on those moments last Saturday, as he addressed staff and guests at the company's 20th anniversary gala banquet, held at the Secrets Resort and Spa in Montego Bay.

Said Wehby: "It was 20 years ago that GraceKennedy Remittance Services processed its first Western Union transaction. Before then, the familiar methods of transfer were via postal services or a reliance on persons travelling back and forth to take monetary gifts from loved ones abroad."

"Much has changed since then, and I am proud to say that we have not only transformed the remittance landscape in Jamaica, (but) we have (also) carved an indelible place in the minds of our customers," Wehby said.

Chairman and CEO of GKRS, Douglas Orane, said the expertise demonstrated by GKRS in connecting and communicating with Caribbean people was recognised by Western Union and today, the network stretches across eight countries and is supported by an international agent base, which operates in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Orane said he was confident that there were some marvellous opportunities for the people of Jamaica and the region as a result of the world recession, but proactive leaders are needed to capitalise on them.