CSA People: Alvin Henry

Alvin Henry: a man of integrity

Alvin Henry joined the staff of The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) in 1969. In the 32 years that followed, the Association benefited from his keen sense of duty, loyalty, technical and professional competence as well as his finely honed negotiating skills.

He led the administration of the SAJ during a period of great challenges. It was a time of historical milestones; an epoch, which produced great men and women; an era of political, economic and technological revolution in Jamaica, the Caribbean and the wider world.

The time, the era, the industry demanded of Alvin Henry more than that asked of many in a lifetime. Alvin responded by giving himself completely and unconditionally.

He initiated systems and guided innovations which transformed the SAJ in his time, as Financial Controller, and later, as General Manager, in technical fields, but more so, in the areas of industrial relations and human resources development. In 1989 Alvin was cited for his work and awarded the SAJ’s Special Award for Dedicated Service.

In 1977, Alvin was again summoned by fate, this time to lead the administration of the still fledgling Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA). Through that Association, first as Corporate Secretary and from 1981 to 2001, as Executive Vice President, Alvin served the Caribbean shipping industry well. In 1995, he received the Caribbean Shipping Association Meritorious Award.

Alvin is also greatly admired by his contemporaries. Former CSA President Rawle Baddaloo said: “He is a very unassuming, even introverted person. A man of integrity who was always encouraging the younger ones to participate. Meeting him only at conferences did not prevent myself and others from seeing his greatness. He was always supportive of what I did even though I did not choose the well-worn path. He was a diligent worker behind the scenes.”

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