William 'Bill' Clarke (standing), chief executive officer of Scotiabank and candidate for the presidency of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), speaks to colleagues during the PSOJ annual general meeting yesterday, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, while his opponent, Christopher Zacca (right), deputy chairman of the Appliance Traders Ltd. Group of Companies, looks on. - Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer

At a well-attended meeting, the membership of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) yesterday rejected reform proposals put forward by Scotiabank's Chief Executive Officer William 'Bill' Clarke.

Mr. Clarke's proposals included expanding the executive and assigning specific responsibilities to PSOJ vice-presidents for the first time. Notwithstanding, at the organisation's annual general meeting held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, Mr. Clarke was elected to the PSOJ executive in his capacity as Jamaica Bankers Associations president.

The Scotiabank boss is one of two candidates for the presidency of the PSOJ, the other being Christopher Zacca, deputy chairman of the Gordon 'Butch' Stewart-led Appliance Traders Ltd. (ATL). The election will be held on Thursday, December 14.

A good turnout

A total of 17 associations, 14 companies and three individuals were yesterday elected to the executive with sitting President Beverley Lopez reporting a good turnout.

"It was very well attended and that showed that the whole matter of the presidency has created a lot of interest and, what can I say, it's democracy in action," said Mrs. Lopez.

However, the PSOJ president reported that some of the conduct at the AGM was not so welcome. "It was lively, some people commented from the floor," she said. "Some were good and some were not so welcome, but we take it all in our stride."