Salute to Frank

Reginald Budhan, former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce writes his good wishes on a matted print of a painting dedicated to his colleague and friend, Frank Whylie.

It's a kiss for Thelma Yong, credit and risk assessment manager, JNSBL as she presents Frank Whylie with a gift on behalf of JNSBL staff.

Man of the moment Frank Whylie (left) shares a joke with Earl Jarrett during the Salute to Frank cocktail reception at the Talk of the Town suite at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Monday.

Frank Whylie and wife Sonia (centre) are greeted by Dr Blossom O'Meally-Nelson, who Mr Whylie hails as a mentor.

From left: Philip Bernard, Keisha Bent and Thelma Yong share a photo op with special guest Frank Whylie.

Salute to Frank

There were many salutes and toasts to Frank Whylie, former general manager of Jamaica National Small Business Loans Limited (JNSBL), in the Talk of the Town suite at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Monday night.

In a special cocktail reception dubbed 'Salute to Frank', he was honoured for his almost 13 years of leadership of the island's premier microfinance institution.

Whylie was hailed by mentors, colleagues, family and friends for his sterling management of the company and his contributions to the micro- and small-business sector locally and regionally for more than 30 years.

Under his leadership, JNSBL has helped to create some 90,000 direct jobs for Jamaicans since its establishment in the year 2000, distributing more than 286,000 loans valued at approximately $14 billion.

Guests at Monday's cocktail included Dr Blossom O'Meally-Nelson Milverton Reynolds, managing director of the Development Bank of Jamaica; Reginald Budhan, former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of JNSBL, and Earl Jarrett, general manager, Jamaica National Building Society.