The Rosa Parks of JN: Jarrett hails Bartlett for her contribution to JNMS

Carmen Bartlett was last week Saturday celebrated for more that four and a half decades of "loyal and faithful service to the JN Group".

In a moving tribute to Bartlett for her years of service to the JN Group and, in particular, her 21 years as regional manager of JN Money Services (JNMS), USA Southeast, Earl Jarrett, chief executive officer of the JN Group, described her contribution to the growth and development of the remittance division as seismic.

"As a result of Carmen's hard work and efforts, we are indeed the number one remittance company sending funds to Jamaica," he said to cheers from a room full of family and well-wishers.

Referring to the retiring regional manager as "the Rosa Parks of JN", Jarrett said she found a way to get ahead and succeed by developing a strong network of friends and supporters who would do anything to help her achieve her goals and, in the process, confounding her doubters.

"Carmen reminds me of Rosa Parks, who, through her activism and actions, changed the face of America and changed the direction of the civil rights movement in this country. Some persons described her as simple, but she wasn't simple."

He noted that in terms of the initial expectations to create possibilities, build people and develop networks and great relationships, Bartlett has delivered, and it will be difficult to see her go.

"BITTERSWEET"

Jarrett described the farewell dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America as a "bittersweet" one, an indication, he said, of the range of emotions marking the end of a long and rewarding journey and the assurance that a solid foundation has been laid, on which "we will continue to build" the JN brand.

Jarrett also paid tribute to Leo Monteith, the JNMS Southeast regional agent coordinator, who is retiring after 20 years, 15 of which were spent building the agent network in the company's flagship market in southeast USA.

Responding to the many tributes and notes of fond farewell, Bartlett, with husband Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett by her side, said that the last 45 years had been an incredible journey with the JN Group.

"It will be an unforgettable flight, one filled with happiness and lasting memories, a tenure reflected in two dimensions, personal and corporate."