IDB Jamaica appoints new chief of operations

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Jamaica has appointed Ms Adriana La Valley as its new chief of operations, with effect on August 1, 2017.

With more than 20 years of international experience in development financing, La Valley takes up the position after serving as lead operations specialist at the IDB's headquarters in Washington.

By training, La Valley is an attorney-at-law who also holds two master's degrees in corporate law and banking and finance law for development from American University and the London School of Economics, respectively.

La Valley has held several positions at Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, where she was responsible for negotiating international financing for national infrastructure projects. While working in the private sector, she advised international clients at the law firm Latham and Watkins, specialising in project finance.

At the IDB, La Valley's comprehensive experience is reflected in several positions she held while working closely with both the public and private sectors, ranging from managing a private-sector portfolio of approximately US$2 billion for the Structured and Corporate Finance Department and advising Mexican interests at the Board of Executive Directors; to restructuring a country portfolio as chief of operations. Since 2010, she has been advocating innovative financing solutions for small and vulnerable countries and has focused her work in the interest of the Caribbean region.

... New exec to streamline investment, development

Adriana La Valley, the new chief of operations (COO) for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Jamaica, is planning to leverage the breadth of her experience to maximise and streamline investment and development.

"I hope to work closely with the private and public sectors to find synergy for comprehensive development solutions for Jamaica in keeping with the objectives outlined in the 2016-2021 country strategy," the new COO outlined.

"I see so much potential in Jamaica. Jamaica has been an example for the region, and so I am excited and appreciative of the opportunity to contribute to its continued development," she added.

Commenting on the appointment, Therese Turner-Jones, country representative for IDB Jamaica Country Office and general manager for the IDB's Caribbean Country Department, said she was happy to welcome La Valley.

"Reflecting on where Jamaica was four years ago, the country has taken very important steps to address its fiscal constraints, and the effort must continue as we work to improve lives for the people of Jamaica. Adriana will help us to continue that important journey," Turner-Jones said.

Former COO of the IDB Jamaica office, Harold Arzu, has taken up a new position in the IDB's Caribbean Country Department's office in Washington, DC, expanding his focus to cover the Caribbean region. The Country Office in Jamaica wishes him well.