Carlos Simons
Carlos Simons QC was born in Salt Cay to Carl and Susan Simons, merchant seaman and housewife respectively. Carlos is the fifth among seven surviving siblings of four girls and three boys (including Carlos): one girl died in infancy. Carlos was taught his ABC’s and 123’s by Mrs. Daisy Wilson-Nembrandt who kept a small day school in her mother’s home. He then attended the Salt Cay Primary School until age 8 when the family moved to Grand Turk so his older siblings could attend high school. Carlos attended the Grand Turk Primary School and then the Turks and Caicos High School from which he graduated in 1970 at age 15 (he is a Libra).
Mr. Simons QC continued his education at Queen’s College in Nassau and returned home to teach for two years at his old High School before going off to the University of Guyana in 1974. He subsequently taught for another year before enrolling for his Master’s at the University of London in 1978 and upon completion he was appointed to the post of Under Secretary in the Ministry of Education where he served for two years.
In July 1983 Mr. Simons graduated from the Inns of Court School of Law in London as a Barrister and was called to the Bar of England and Wales. He was admitted to practice as an Attorney at Law of the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands in January 1984. He helped to establish the law firm of Miller Simons O’Sullivan where he is currently the Senior Partner and where he has spent his entire practicing career.
At age 12 Mr. Simons was confirmed into the Anglican Communion at Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Grand Turk and he is currently a faithful and active member of the Saint Monica’s Anglican Church in Providenciales.
Mr. Simons has always been keen to give back to country and community and in this vein he has served as chairman or as a member of most statutory boards, including the Community College, the National Insurance Board, the Public Service Commission and the Financial Services Commission. He has also twice served as President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Bar Council. He comes to his present offer of service with two terms in the legislature already under his belt, once as the PNP elected member for Salt Cay and more recently as the Governor’s appointed member. He resigned in February 2010 as Chairman of the Consultative Forum.
In October 2002 Mr. Simons was appointed to the rank of Queens Counsel (QC) in recognition of his contribution to the legal profession in the Islands and of the example and standards he has set in the practice of law. Also in June 2002 he was admitted to membership of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his record of public service, a record that he now offers to build upon.
Mr. Simons wishes to thank his family (particularly his children, Naledi and Justin), his many friends throughout the Islands, and his Partners and Office staff for their support, and to acknowledge the encouragement of his former students and the work of his Campaign Committee.
Mr. Simons’ vision and goal for the TCI is that of a prosperous, stable 21st century democracy, based upon the rule of law and where access to education, jobs and affordable health care is available to all.
Norman Saunders
• Born on South Caicos on October 27, 1943 to Norman Saunders and Iris Cleola Saunders, nee Lightbourne.
• Attended the South Caicos Primary School
• Attended the Grand Turk High School now the H. J. Robinson High. Graduating at the top of the class in 1960.
• Completed correspondence courses in Book Keeping and Accountancy and Advanced Accounts. Completed accounting courses in preparation for the ACCA examinations
• Broad work experience; Turks Island Salt Company as office clerk; Caicos Company as accountant, and then as Assistant Managing Director; from 1974-1995, assumed ownership and management of Caicos Air Services; from 1995-1999 Managed Club Carib Hotel; and from 1999-present. Mr. Saunders is the Owner and Manager of Caicos Fisheries Ltd. Served on Cockburn Harbour Community Council as Secretary
• Elected consecutively to the Legislative Assembly 1967-1985 and served in many positions including member of the Executive Council from 1967-1976, Leader of the Opposition from 1976-1980, and Chief Minister from 1980-1985. Elected consecutively to the House of Assembly from 1995-2009 until the House was suspended
• Appointed Executive Chairman of the first Tourist Board 1970-1976
• Was a member of the Constitutional Delegation in 1972, along with Hon. Bert Basden and Dinks Francis that met in Nassau with Lord Shepherd, the Constitutional Commissioner, for talks leading to constitutional changes.
• Played a prominent role in the constitutional negotiations in 1975-1976, resulting in a new Constitution in 1976
• An active member of the Masons and Odd Fellows Lodges
• Attends Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, South Caicos
• Married to Emily Saunders and father to four children; Denise Saunders, Norman Saunders, Jr., Erwin Jay Saunders and Daxton Saunders
Wayne Garland
Wayne Garland (aka “Major”) was born on the island of Salt Cay, to William and Patronella Garland
Attended the Salt Cay Primary School, now the Mary Robinson Primary School
Attended High School in Grand Turk and graduated in 1983
Holds a Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Hocking College in Ohio
Holds certificates of specialization from The American Hotel and Lodging Institute in Rooms Division Management, Human Resources Management, Club Management, Food and Beverage Management
Has worked extensively in the tourism industry on Provo, including Beaches Resort and Spa, Comfort Suites and the Pinnacle on Grace Bay
Elected in 2007 as Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill and was appointed
Executive Chairman for the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board
In 2009 was appointed Minister of Tourism and the Airports Authority
Is active in the community as a member of the first Providenciales Aids Committee, Vice-President of the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Turks and
Caicos Labour Tribunal representing the employee
Is an active parishioner at St. Monica Anglican Church where he is presently the Vice President for the Anglican Church Men
He is married with three children
Charles Washington Misick
Charles Washington Misick was born in Bottle Creek North Caicos; he is the eldest son of the Charles Misick (deceased) and Mary Misick. Given the name, Washington, he was destined to be an active person who took on leadership roles.
He attended the Government all aged School in Bottle Creek now the Adelaide Oemler Primary School under the tutelage of Head Master, Raymond E. Gardiner, now deceased, who is regarded as perhaps one of the greatest teachers in the Caicos Islands.
After leaving Primary School, he joined the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for a brief period after which, he attended the College of Arts Science & Technology now the University of Technology in Jamaica earning a Diploma in Business Administration with an Accounting Major. He also became a Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians in the UK. He holds a Leadership Certificate from the Kennedy School of Government from Harvard University in the USA.
Mr. Misick has served in the following capacities in the Business Community in the TCI: Chairman of Prestigious Properties (1995) Ltd. Coopers & Lybrand – Chartered Accountants Jamaica 1974-1977; Past President of the Turks & Caicos Real Estate Association; Past President of the Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce and Member of the Consultancy Group on the 1981 Companies Ordinance. He was also the Governor’s Appointed Member of the Legislative Council, 1988.
He became Chief Minister in 1992, serving as Minister for Economic Development, Physical Planning, Finance and Tourism. He served as Leader of the Opposition until 2003 and also distinguished himself by serving as Joint President of the local branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. He is a Justice of the Peace. He attends the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He is married to Trina McKay and is the proud father of six children.
Amanda Missick
Ms. Amanda Missick was born in the picturesque island of Kew, North Caicos. She received both her primary and secondary education in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
She has contributed to the noble profession having taught for a few years at the Hubert James Primary before leaving for college and the Raymond Gardiner High School after returning, both in North Caicos.
Her interests are wide and varied. As a small business owner and landlady she has been able to make full use of her degree in Business Education. Eager to broaden her experience, she relocated to Providenciales where she entered Real Estate as an Agent with Morris & Harris Realty. She has also served as Executive and Accounts Clerk at the Canadian –owned accounting firm, Evancic Perrault Robertson and then as Executive and Assistant Manager at First National Bank, an offshore banking company.
Ms. Missick moved from being an employee to a business owner when she established the boutique, Paulanjo’s Department Store which she managed alongside her first apartment. Since then she has owned Mandy’s Classique Boutique and other apartments and town houses. She is a partner in Smokey’s Restaurant.
Ms. Missick’s involvement in civic life has seen her work with youths and adults alike. Ever passionate about young people, she was a member of the Girl Guides and Brownies of Kew and formed the first gospel group in her settlement, “Kew Youth Choral.” She was an active member of the Rotary Club for many years and has served as Chair of the Business Licensing Board.
She has had the distinct privilege of serving in the House of Assembly as the elected member for the Cheshire Hall constituency and was Minister of Education Youth and Sports in the Galmo Williams’s administration.
The proud mother of one son, Ms. Missick is a vibrant member of the Church of God of Prophecy. Her hobbies are reading and traveling.
Rex Swann
Born on October 1, 1977 to Thomas and Hyacinth Swann in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Mr. Rex Swann attended the Eliza Simons Primary before moving to the H.J Robinson High School in Grand Turk.
As his zodiac sign suggests, Mr. Swann sought to balance his life both academically, spiritually and secularly. After leaving high school in Grand Turk he attended the Queensborough Community College in New York where he obtained an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts while a member of the Basketball Team. He subsequently received his Bachelors in Business Management and a MBA in Human Resources.
His entrepreneurial drive led to the establishment of “Cool Beans,” his own small business.
He has given of his expertise to many boards and is currently a member of the Sports Commission Board.
His interest in politics is no secret as he has been politically active for many years. He was active while a student at the Palm Beach Atlantic University where he had the privilege of addressing audiences on the subject.
Mr. Swann attends the Salem Baptist Church in Grand Turk. He is married to Rakiya Swann and together they have two children.
Dr. Rufus Washington Ewing
Dr. Rufus Washington Ewing is the son of Mr. Hilly Ewing, veteran parliamentarian and Mrs. Jane Ewing of the historic settlement of Blue Hills, Providenciales. He was raised in a staunch Seventh Day Adventist home where honesty, integrity, love for mankind and service to one’s community were natural expectations from him and his many siblings.
Dr. Ewing showed early signs of his academic prowess when, after leaving the Blue Hills Primary School, he went on to become the valedictorian of the Class of 1985 at the Turks & Caicos High School. This academic achievement, rewarded by scholarship, led him to the Barbados Community College where he completed his A’Levels. He moved on to the University of the West Indies Mona Campus where he pursued Medicine and was awarded the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degree (MBBS) in 1993.
A true patriot at heart, he was instrumental in establishing the Turks & Caicos Students Association (TACSA). He served this organization for four years, two as its Vice President and two as its President.
After his internship in the Bahamas he returned to UWI in 1996 to read for the Degree of Doctor in General Surgery. Two years later he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburg, UK then received training in Pediatric General Surgery at the IWK Grace Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He secured his Doctor of Medicine in General Surgery in 2001. In spite of his doctorate, Dr. Ewing still saw it fit to read for a Masters at the John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, obtaining that degree in 2008.
Eager to contribute to national development, Dr. Ewing presented his ideas to both political and healthcare leaders; both seeing his fervor and capability, blessed him with the position of Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) with direct responsibility for the Myrtle Rigby Health Complex (MRHC); he also became lead surgeon of that complex. He was instrumental in each step which led to the Commissioning of the MRHC Operating Theatre and the ensuing reduction in costs for overseas treatment.
By the time Dr. Ewing was appointed Chief Medical Officer he had already made significant contributions in clinical guidance in the development of the new hospital facilities and the implementation of the National Health Insurance Plan. Numbered among his contributions at this juncture was moving the operating level of Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) from the level of the hospital to that of the Ministry of Health and hence strengthening the leadership, management and policy development capacity of that Ministry. He is also given credit for: the Treatment at Home Policy; Treatment Abroad Policy, Health Care Infrastructure Development Policy; Health Strategic Plans; Primary Health Clare Renewal; Migrant Health Evaluation Policy and Programme and Health Care Regulations.
After the suspension of the TCI Constitution and the imposition of direct rule from Britain, Dr. Ewing became frustrated with the policy direction of the Interim Administration, and along with other Civil Servants revitalized the dormant Civil Service Association (CSA) of he was elected as its President in January, 2011 and fought for the rights and welfare of Civil Servants.
Dr. Ewing will be remembered for his one-man demonstration against the Governor and the Advisory Council demanding their resignation and the imposition of direct rule. He resigned from the Civil Service on March 31 2012 and became the leader of the Progressive National Party in June, 2012, fully committing himself to the service of his country.
Dr. Rufus Ewing is married to his university classmate, and fellow doctor, Dr. Dawn Perry and together they have a son.
George Lightbourne
Mr. George Lightbourne was born on August 26, 1967 at his family home in Good Street, Grand Turk. After attending North Primary School (Ona Glinton Primary), he went on to the Turks & Caicos High School (HJR High School) where he graduated in 1983. He advanced his education by attending Cambridge Tutorial College and obtaining Diplomas in Tourism and Hospital Management.
The role of education in nation building was not lost on him as evidenced by his pursuit of higher learning. From earning another Diploma, this time in English Language, Social Work and Welfare, Mr. Williams obtained yet another, this time in Entomology from the University of South Carolina.
He has worked in both the Private and Public Sectors: Sales/Accounts Manager with Cable and Wireless; Assistant Sales/Purchasing Manager at the former Ramada Hotel before moving on to work a Purchasing Manager for Beaches Resort and Spa.
An advocate for entrepreneurialism, Mr. Lightbourne operates the Circle G Store on Grand Turk, the George Contracting /Building Services and George Mining Services.
Not only is this Grand Turk native a community activist but he is a faithful Methodist. He is married to fellow entrepreneur, Mrs. Ruthann Lghtbourne and together they share five children.
Gregory Lightbourne
Mr. Gregory Lightbourne is the grandson of the late veteran Parliamentarian, Gustarvus Lightbourne. He was born under the Gemini sign in the nation's capital of Grand Turk; the year was 1967. After attending the Oseta Jolly Primary School, Mr. Lightbourne went on to graduate from the Clement Howell High School.
His strong entrepreneurial spirit saw him establishing his own heavy equipment rental company in 2002.
Mr. Lightbourne is no stranger to community activism having represented Blue Hills in the 2007 General Elections. He was also appointed The Junior Minister for Works and Utilities. In 2008, he became the Minister for Natural Resources.
He is a member of the Bethany Baptist Church of Blue Hills.
Adrian Williams
From a prolific family, Mr. Adrian Williams was born in 1980 to Miss Doreen Been and Mr. Stanley Williams; he is the first of sixteen children. He grew up in the quiet settlement of Blue Hills where he attended the Oseta Jolly Primary and the Provo Christian Schools. In 1998 he graduated from the Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama.
In an effort to advance his education, he entered the Miami Dade Community College and left after earning accreditations in Accounting, Commerce and Mortuary Science.
Mr. Williams is a sports enthusiast who has coached the Blue Hills Flag Football Team. He is an independent business owner, operating a taxi business.
A proud father of three, Mr. Williams attends the Jericho Baptist Church.