PHILIPSBURG-- Alexander Gumbs has been granted a five-year extension as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Port St. Maarten Group and United People’s party (UP) Leader and Member of Parliament Omar Ottley says there is still room to take the Port further through infrastructure upgrades and improvements to the passenger experience.
Ottley congratulated Gumbs on the extension of his appointment, saying the confidence he placed in Gumbs when he supported his appointment in 2021 had been reaffirmed.
“When Alex Gumbs was appointed CEO of Port St. Maarten in 2021, I supported that appointment as a member of the Council of Ministers. At the time, I saw a young, ambitious and highly educated St Maartener who had pursued his studies abroad, returned home and had already gained valuable experience in the port and cruise industry. I believed he had the ability to lead, and five years later, I am pleased to see that confidence reaffirmed with another five year appointment. There is still room to take Port St. Maarten further. I will be looking to Alex to expand the vision for the Port, upgrade the infrastructure and, importantly, continue improving the passenger experience. We should be creating more opportunities for visitors to experience our culture and connect with what makes Sint Maarten unique. The Port should not simply be a point of arrival and departure, it should be an extension of the Sint Maarten experience with locally owned concessionaires.”
Ottley said Gumbs’ journey demonstrates the importance of investing in local talent and giving qualified Sint Maarteners opportunities to lead.
Gumbs went abroad, pursued his education, gained international experience and returned home to put that knowledge to work for Sint Maarten. Since taking on the leadership of Port St. Maarten, he has continued to develop as a leader and has earned recognition within the regional cruise industry, according to Ottley.
“This is the kind of success story we should celebrate. A young Sint Maartener pursued his education abroad, returned home, built his career and is now leading one of the most important institutions in our economy, while also being recognized beyond our shores.”
Ottley said Port St. Maarten remains a critical pillar of Sint Maarten’s tourism economy and that strong local leadership is important to its continued development.
“I congratulate Alex on his five-year extension and wish him continued success. I look forward to seeing what he and his team will accomplish over the next five years and how that leadership will continue to contribute to the growth and development of Port St. Maarten and Sint Maarten.”
