Cornelius B. Prior, Jr. Elected Chairman of Caribbean Central American Action

Washington, D.C.–CCAA announced today the election of Cornelius B. Prior, Jr. as the organization’s new Chairman, succeeding Jose Perez-Jones who had served in this role since June 2005.  This, at the organization’s Spring Board Meeting and Washington Briefing.

Mr. Prior is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atlantic Tele-Network, whose principal subsidiaries include Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Ltd., the national telephone service provider for Guyana; Commnet Wireless, LLC which provides voice and data wireless roaming services for U.S. and international carriers; Sovernet Communications, Inc., a wireline voice and data company servicing homes across Vermont; Choice Communications, LLC, which provides wireless television and wireless broadband services, as well as dial-up internet services in the United States Virgin Islands and Bermuda Digital Communications Ltd., which, under the Cellular One name, is the largest provider of cellular voice and data services in Bermuda.

Mr. Prior was a managing director and stockholder of Kidder, Peabody & Co. Inc., where he directed the Telecommunications Finance Group.  A former Naval Officer and Fulbright Scholar, he started his career as an attorney with Sullivan & Cromwell in New York.  He has served as Chairman of CANTO, the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations and earned his legal degree from The Harvard Law School.

In his remarks to the Board, Prior thanked Perez-Jones, a Senior Vice President of Seaboard Marine, for his leadership and commented that he looked forward to leading an organization which has done so much to promote trade and investment with the Caribbean and Central America. Prior had served on the Executive Committee since 2004 as Treasurer.

Commenting on the announcement, Jose Perez-Jones said, “I am delighted to hand over the reins to my good friend and colleague Neil Prior.  Having had the privilege to work closely with Neil over many years, I know there is no individual better equipped to take the organization forward than he.  He has my warm congratulations on his appointment.”

Other elections included Francisco X. Santeiro joining the Executive Committee as Vice President for Central America and Linda Wellstein assuming the role of Treasurer.  Wellstein also serves as Vice President for the United States.  Santeiro is Managing Director for Global Trade Services, Latin America and Caribbean Division of FedEx and Wellstein is Chair, Global Telecommunications Practice of Wellstein Mora Rodriguez International, PC.

Caribbean Central American Action is a non-governmental organization that promotes private sector-led economic development in the Caribbean Basin. More information on the organization and the Annual Miami Conference can be found by visiting CCAA's website at www.c-caa.org.

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