Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (Thursday, December 17, 2015) –
FortisTCI recognizes five former electricity utility industry professionals, honouring them
with the FortisTCI Pioneer Award. This will be an annual award meant to recognize a
broad cross section of individuals that have contributed to the electricity industry in the
Turks and Caicos Islands. This year’s honourees are Mr. Claridge Wilson, Mr. Ernie
Jackson, Mr. Wayne Douglas, and the late Mr. Eric Seymour (represented by his wife
Mrs. Gladys Seymour) and the late Mr. Ken Lighbourne (represented by his son Brian
Lightbourne).
In an industry that is now rapidly changing and evolving through the technological age,
the FortisTCI Pioneer Award is an acknowledgment to those that set the foundation and
significantly contributed to the growth and development of the Country’s electricity
industry. FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell said, “The Turks and Caicos
Islands can boast of having one of the best electricity services available in the region. We
recognize that to get where we are today it took great knowledge, tremendous vision, and
great workmanship by notable industry professionals. We honour these individuals who
have blazed the path as Pioneers, and the torch of service and excellence has been
passed on to a new generation.” The Company has plans in 2016, to create a wall of
honour to publicly display the names of ‘Electricity Industry Pioneers’ at its headquarters
in Providenciales.
The late Eric Seymour is a former Power House Supervisor, Chief Engineer, Electrical
Superintendent and Electricity Commissioner that served the Turks and Caicos Islands
from 1969 to 2003. He gained his initial training and experience as a Merchant Marine
with American Coast Lines where he worked his way from a junior engineer in 1953 to
Chief Engineer in 1969. He eventually joined the TCI civil service and served as Chief
Engineer and Electrical Superintendent. During this time, he oversaw the erection and
distribution of electricity to many areas of the Turks and Caicos Islands that had not had
electricity previously. In 1992, he took up early retirement from the civil service and took
the opportunity to serve his country as Electricity Commissioner, a post he held until he
retired completely from active duty in 2003.
The late Mr. Ken Lightbourne began his service with Provo Power Company (PPC) as an
operator in 1989. A former line superintendent he was known as one of the first to take
safety seriously. He also had a passion for developing employees who worked in
Transmission & Distribution and took pride in helping them grow professionally. When he
passed away in 2002, he was serving as the Company’s Superintendent of Distribution.
Mr. Claridge Wilson served with Provo Power Company as the electrical plant
superintendent, having been employed by the Company from 1992 until 2005. A well
respected professional in the industry, he played a major role in the installation of
Caterpillar engines at the Provo plant. He was also responsible for day-to-day plant
maintenance throughout the Caicos Islands.
Mr. Ernie Jackson, an electrical engineer by trade, joined PPC in May 1998 as Chief
Engineer. He led developments and upgrades on the T&D Systems throughout the
Caicos Islands. One of his many major projects was the conversion of overhead lines in
Grace Bay to underground. He was promoted to FortisTCI Vice President of Production
and Engineering in September of 2007 and served in this capacity until his departure.
Mr. Wayne Douglas joined PPC in November 1998 as Plant Mechanical Superintendent
and is known as a friend to all. On the job he believed in teamwork, family, and
community, possessing a knack for keeping people motivated. His professional skills
were fabrication and mechanical engineering. He had since served as a consultant of
Special Projects with FortisTCI. His role was instrumental in the logistics and
commissioning of the new Wartsila Engines.
