Tourism's Director General to Make Major Career Move to LPIA, Government’s Largest Capital Project.

NASSAU, The Bahamas, 13 August, 2010….. Vernice Walkine, The Bahamas’  first female Director General of Tourism, is taking steps to achieve another first as the first Bahamian to join the executive management team of the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), the managers of the Lynden Pindling International Airport ( LPIA),as the Vice-President of Marketing & Communications.

In this new role, Ms. Walkine will be responsible for leading, directing, implementing and managing the marketing and communications strategies for NAD, inclusive of the development and execution of key initiatives to expand air service and increase usage of the airport.

According to Stewart Steeves, the CEO of NAD, "As the single largest capital development project in the country, LPIA is central to the ongoing development of the Islands Of The Bahamas, as a strategic hub for all of the islands and eventually also for the Caribbean region. As such, Ms. Walkine brings a wealth of experience in the tourism industry which is perfect for the necessary evolution of LPIA. We are absolutely delighted that she has accepted our invitation to join the NAD team as the first of our planned Bahamian executives."

Ms. Walkine has been employed with the Ministry of Tourism for more than 30 years, and has served as its first female Director General for the past five years. Over the course of her service, she has been part of a winning team executing many notable achievements for the country, including the Atlantis Superboat Challenge, the Diamond Triathlon Of The Stars, the Vintage Grand Prix, FIFA World Congress, Miss Universe 2009, among many others. Ms. Walkine thanked the entire management and staff of the Ministry of Tourism for their support over the years, and attributed her success to their efforts. She also expressed her sincere thanks to the people of The Bahamas who offered her their support and encouragement in so many ways.

Minister of Tourism, Sen. Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said of Ms. Walkine, "I am extremely pleased to know that we will be placing our most significant public asset into the very capable hands of a tourism veteran. There is no question that LPIA will be very well-served by her focused, committed leadership. We view this appointment as a most important continuation of her critical contributions to the tourism sector."

Ms. Walkine expressed these sentiments: "Having served the people of The Bahamas for so long at the Ministry of Tourism, I am excited at the opportunity to continue my service in a meaningful way by ensuring that the capital investment made by our people returns a significant value to the country well into the future.  LPIA will be a beautiful facility that will contribute to our growth and development in so many ways that will make us all proud."

Ms. Walkine will demit office on October 8th, 2010. Succeeding her will be Senior Deputy Director General of Tourism, Mr. David L. Johnson, himself a veteran of the tourism industry, having worked for the organization in many overseas capacities, and more recently, having been responsible for planning and business development, inclusive of airlift and cruise development for the country. "I am very pleased to be able to pass the mantle to a highly capable and seasoned individual, who will be able to take the organization through its paces in order to meet the demands of a new tourism landscape. We will continue to work together in these different roles to affect successful outcomes for the tourism sector," said Ms. Walkine.