GEW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Operations and Office Manager
- Operations and Office Manager / Staff Member
With experience in the private sector and at Government QUANGOs, Ashley has progressed through roles in both the finance and operations functions, focusing on increasing business and operational efficiencies. Ashley also has exceptional customer service and organizational skills, which she has gained from over six years' experience in hospitality, which is always beneficial when it comes to supporting office operations/processes. A graduate of Bermuda College, Ashley is happy to contribute to the overall objectives of the corporation through her role as the Operations and Office Manager.
Job Titles:
- Economic & Cooperative Development Unit Business Development Officer
- Economic & Cooperative Development Unit Business Development Officer / Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Business Data & Policy Analyst
- BUSINESS DATA & POLICY ANALYST / Staff Member
Colina Outerbridge works full-time at BEDC as the Business Data and Policy Analyst assisting the Financial Director with Quickbooks management of bi-monthly inputting of transactions, monthly Bank reconciliations, reporting and the year-end Audit. She graduated from Acadia University with her Business Administration degree majoring in Accounting. She is Quickbooks Certified and currently pursuing her Certified Professional Accountant designation. Her 20+ years of accounting experience coupled with her experience as an entrepreneur aide in her support of providing business development guidance to BEDC clients.
Job Titles:
- Co - Owner of 14 / 68 Entertainment Ltd
Job Titles:
- Estates Surveyor at the Government of Bermuda
Job Titles:
- Assistant Communication and Development Officer
Deshun Simmons is the assistant communication and development officer. As such he works under the direction of the Director of Communications and Development (DCD) of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation. Using all communication channels, he assists in public relations, marketing, media relations, producing and disseminating collateral material, and assisting in the coordination of programs and events to increase awareness and utilization of BEDC services. In addition, Deshun is responsible for assisting in the promotion, and implementation of entrepreneurship and educational programs, events, and initiatives as requested by the DCD. Deshun attended Saint Mary's University in 2011 where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He has a background in I.T, with a certification in CompTIA A+, and was co-owner of the gourmet popcorn store, Savory Kernels.
Job Titles:
- Director of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise
- Director of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise / Staff Member
Donte Hunt is the Director of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise at the BEDC. Donte's business foundation commenced at North Carolina State University where he obtained Magna Cum Laude honors in a Bachelor of Associates degree in Business Management with a concentration in Computer Information Systems and Programming. Soon after University, Donte got married, had his first daughter and kicked off his first business venture (while working full time as the head of the ATM Network).
Job Titles:
- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Executive Director of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation
Erica Smith is currently the Executive Director of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) having taken over that position in August 2014. She is responsible for overseeing the Corporation's role in developing a strong, well-managed and prosperous local business sector, consisting of over 6,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, through the provision of business advice, counsel, and financial assistance. Having been educated at Boston University, Howard University, and the University of Pennsylvania, Erica currently holds a bachelor's degree in architecture, a Master's Degree in City Planning, a Certificate in Urban Design, a Diploma in Supervision and Management, and is a Certified Urban Planner. She previously served 3 years as Board Chair of the registered charity Tomorrow's Voices - Bermuda Autism Early Intervention Centre, which provides services for children with autism and developmental disabilities and she currently serves as a Board member today.
Job Titles:
- C.O.O for the Ministry of Finance, Government of Bermuda
Job Titles:
- Entrepreneur & BEDC Board Member
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board, BEDC & Founder of Local IT Business
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of COMMUNICATION & DEVELOPMENT / Staff Member
- Director of Communication & Development for BEDC
Jamillah Lodge is the Director of Communication & Development for BEDC. She is responsible for managing the marketing and communications plan on behalf of the Corporation and for providing and analyzing business and entrepreneurial market data for the use of the Corporation. Jamillah develops, promotes and implements entrepreneurship and educational programs, events and initiatives. Educated in the United States, Jamillah graduated from Clark Atlanta University; Atlanta, Georgia with a B.A. Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and obtained an AA in Merchandising Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising; Los Angeles, California. Jamillah has also taken courses towards obtaining her MBA in entrepreneurship from Nova Southeastern University, Fla.
Job Titles:
- Economic & Cooperative Development Officer / Staff Member
- Research & Policy Analyst
Jonathan is the Economic & Cooperative Development Officer at BEDC. He has a BSc (Hons) in Biology and Anthropology from Trent University in Canada, a MSc (Distinction) in Ecological Economics from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and a MSc (Distinction) in Urban & Regional Planning from Heriot University in Scotland. He has had a varied career history, including being an Aquarist at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, an Economist at Forest Research, part of the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, a policy analyst on Child Poverty for the Scottish Government, and a university lecturer on Urban Design at Heriot Watt University, the Executive Director of Greenrock (an environmental charity in Bermuda) and previously ran a policy consulting busines Trident Bermuda. He has published two papers: Valatin & Starling (2010) Valuation of Ecosystem Services Provided by UK Woodlands; and Starling & Forgan (2014) Virulence as a Model for Interplanetary and Interstellar Colonisation - Parasitism or Mutualism? International Journal of Astrobiology, vol. 13, issue 1, pp.45-52.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of FINANCE, DATA & ADMINISTRATION / Staff Member
- Director of Finance, Data & Administration for the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation
Keitha Caines is the Director of Finance, Data & Administration for the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation. She has been working with the BEDC contractually since May 2020 initially seconded by the Bermuda Tourism Authority to assist with the emergency COVID-19 grant programme for small - medium size businesses. Keitha was previously employed with the Bermuda Tourism Authority for seven years serving in the role as General Accountant. Keitha has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting as well as a Masters of Business Administration in Global Business Leadership. She currently holds the designation of Certified Public Accountant and is a member of America Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Bermuda CPA organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys doing anything creative. She loves to travel, read and get involved with community organizations. She has been a member of the St. George's Parish Council since 2018. She is also the Treasurer for Activate Bermuda since 2019. She also is the Assistant Treasurer for the Midland Heights S.D.A. Church. Keitha is married to the brilliant Dwayne S. Caines and together they enjoy working with the youth.
Job Titles:
- Communication & Development Officer
- Communication & Development Officer / Staff Member
- the Communication and Development Officer
Kelsea Williams is the communication and development officer. As such she works under the direction of the Director of Communications and Development (DCD) of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation. Using all communication channels, she assists in public relations, marketing, media relations, producing and disseminating collateral material, and coordinating programmes and events to increased awareness and utilization of BEDC services. In addition, Kelsea is responsible for promoting, and implementing entrepreneurship and educational programmes, events, and initiatives as requested by the DCD. Kelsea attended the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2011 and then later transferred to the University of Western Ontario in 2012 where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Media, Information & Technoculture. She worked as the Marketing Manager and Graphic Designer for local clothing store, A.S. Cooper & Sons Ltd. and as a Web Developer with online advertising agency Mediaville.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chairman of the Board, BEDC & Senior Relationship Manager, HSBC
Job Titles:
- Loan Portfolio Management Officer
- Management Officer
Job Titles:
- Founder & CEO at TABS ( the Authentic Bermuda Shorts )
Job Titles:
- Client Service Representative
Job Titles:
- Loan Portfolio Management Officer
Tahkeesha is the Loan Portfolio Management Officer whose role is to monitor , maintain and manage the loan book within BEDC. She has over 20 years experience in the Banking industry where she started as a credit analyst for commercial and corporate loans, eventually working her way to relationship manager for small and medium sized businesses in Bermuda. Tahkeesha had great success in her Banking career and is well positioned to provide support and knowledge to all BEDC clients.
Job Titles:
- Global Investor Servicing Lead, Mt. Logan Re
Job Titles:
- Administrative Officer
- Executive
Job Titles:
- Director of Economic & Cooperative Development
- Economic and Cooperative Development Director
- ECONOMIC and COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR / Staff Member
William Spriggs is the Economic and Cooperative Development Director at BEDC and was formerly BEDC's MSME Director. William is responsible for a wide range of small business, economic and community development projects and enjoys helping clients create business opportunities. He manages the day-to-day operation of the ECD Unit and performs complex consultative and technical work in the planning, development, and implementation of the unit's business development, community development and economic development programs. He is a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Administrative Professional.