Jamaican Roy Lafayette, CEO of Geddes Refrigeration Ltd., is our Professional of the Month representing the Caribbean.
by Duván Chaverra Agudelo
When one thinks of Jamaica, it is impossible to avoid remembering the great Bob Marley, the mythical reggae singer of the 70's who put this country on everyone's lips, or today the great Usaint Bolt, the king of speed.
Both characters, in addition to their undeniable talent, also have something in common: their charisma. And that has always been a quality of the Jaimaquinos, which has surely helped them to get ahead and be recognized as one of the most important countries in the Caribbean.
And speaking of charisma, in Jamaica there is someone else who due to his effort, preparation and work, has managed to go very far, so he is also worthy of recognition as the Professional of the month for this edition.
This is Roy Lafayette, CEO of Geddes Refrigeration Ltd., an entrepreneur who has dedicated 30 years of his life to the HVAC industry, born in the municipality of Portland. He studied at St. George's College, later studied business administration at the College of Arts Science & Technology in his country, and obtained a Diploma in Strategic Management at the University of Illinois, in Chicago, United States.
Personally, Roy lives proud of his family, is married and has three children: a daughter and two twin sons. He is also the grandfather of four grandchildren. For obvious reasons he considers himself a lover of reggae music. He also enjoys a game of football and tennis; and says he likes to watch movies to relax and travel to the United States.
Professionally, the story of our guest began in 1980, when he obtained his position at Reginal Aitken, an engineering company, where he was recognized for this work. Subsequently, in 1986, he went to work at Geddes Refrigeration Limited, where he held the position as Commercial Manager responsible for the sales of air conditioning equipment. The professional said that there he made his contact with York International, which he considers to be the first international firm in the business.
As a professional entrepreneur, Roy Lafayette fulfills a daily routine that allows him to carry out all his commitments responsibly. Arrive at 7:00 a.m., read their emails and review problems encountered during the day. He subsequently meets with department/administration leaders, especially the Service Department, which he qualifies as his first love, as well as the Engineering Department, to discuss problems and find solutions. Analyze preventions and improvements.
"We maintain the idea of providing leadership to ensure clear goals and expectations, allowing the organization to grow. This vision and guidance has resulted in a significant increase in the ability to earn revenue for the company. It is also important to focus on the company's mission, and balance organizational priorities through a system of strategic planning and management. We also seek to guide and integrate department heads in efforts to realign all business processes," said the guest.
On the challenges in technology, Roy highlights the importance of constant training to stay up-to-date in knowledge: "Staying at peace with technology requires extensive re-training of staff, eliminating the natural friction that results from making operational changes."
About the industry
In this regard, Roy is optimistic about the growth of the sector in the region, highlighting the use of new efficient systems, the growing need for air conditioning equipment due to climate change, the inclusion of HFCs in the Montreal Protocol, among other aspects.
"We are excited about the future possibilities of industry expansion in the region. A five-year plan has been established that takes into account the technological age. Expansion methodologies have also been established with other brands within the region to rationalize and improve the energy and cooling efficiency of all aspects of its operation," explained the professional.
Jamaica has experienced remarkable growth in the sector in recent years, as Roy commented: "The industry has experienced growth of more than 20% in the country and is expected to continue to increase. This is also due to climate change which is increasing the demand for further expansion. On the other hand, the evolution that this industry has had during the time I have worked in it is on the control side. This has become so revolutionized that one can control temperatures even from their smartphones."
On the environment, he said: "One of the important goals of energy and environmental sustainability is the clean air business. We need to make sure that we follow the Montreal Protocol and the phase-out of HFCs.
And finally, on the strategies with his clients, Roy Lafayette, commented: "The Objectives for clients are to ensure that they are totally satisfied. Take them to the technological arena where they will see a significant reduction in the cost of energy as far as air conditioning and other refrigeration equipment is concerned. Ensuring that customers have what they need to run their businesses comfortably and economically with maximum efficiency and reliability."
