NIS executive director gets emotional send-off

Executive Director of the National Insurance Services (NIS) Reginald Thomas, who leaves that post at the end of the month, received an emotional send-off last Saturday night.

Thomas has been elected director of the Inter-American Centre for Social Security Studies (CIESS) and will soon be off to Mexico City to take up the post. He is the first Caribbean national and non-Spanish speaking person to hold this position.

Thomas’ send-off took place at the Spring Estate in Biabou and was held under the theme, “To Sir, with Love.” Saturday’s event was also held to celebrate the NIS’s 30th anniversary and recognize long-standing employees.

Among those in attendance were NIS staff and board members and heads of a number of social security organizations from various countries in the region, including Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada.

Speaking during the segment of the programme allocated for tributes, deputy executive director of the NIS Mineva Glasgow said that she first met Thomas in 1975 when he was a student at the Bishop’s College Kingstown (BCK) and she was a teacher. She said that she later linked up with Thomas when she joined the staff of the NIS in 1987.

“He is a guru in social security; he understands social security and he has contributed significantly to the development of national insurance in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Mr Thomas made a big difference to the operations of the NIS. It was under his tenure that the operations were computerized. It was under his tenure that the NIS was non-aligned from the Government Public Service and started to function as the statutory institution that it was designed to be. It was under his tenure that we started the annual budgetary exercise and work programme, which we have mastered so well. It was under his tenure that the staff supplemental benefit and health plans were initiated and these are indelibly etched in our minds,” said Glasgow.

Also paying tribute to Thomas was chair of the NIS Lennox Bowman, who noted that Thomas has given 38 years of dedicated service to social security in SVG.

Thanking Thomas, Bowman said that over the years, the executive director’s contribution to SVG was not only in social security, but in many other areas, including the church, sports, finance, counselling and the credit union movement.

“When we lose Reggie from the NIS, we also lose a real quality individual who loves his country and is a strong defender of his country and the Caribbean,” said Bowman, who described Thomas as extremely respectful of authority and one who has helped to build an NIS brand in SVG, “which I believe promises and gives exactly what is promised.

“NIS and social security in the region is in a better place because of your efforts. Such is the strength of the NIS that Reggie has left that I believe that we can all face the future with confidence,” said Bowman, who added that it is a good thing that Thomas is not leaving social security, but moving on to a higher level.

“It has been our pleasure as a board to know you and work with you and to learn from you,” said Bowman to a loud round of applause.

Speaking on behalf of the regional social security systems, Antoinette Skelton (director of the British Virgin Islands Social Security Board) described Thomas as a personal friend and confidante, who is also her son’s godfather.

“Reggie is the person who we call to discuss social security issues, especially when the issue is contentious. He is a leader in social security, not only in the Caribbean, but internationally. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in matters relating to social security investment and pension and he has shared his knowledge by making presentations…,” said Skelton.

She revealed that Thomas was instrumental in the establishment of the diploma studies at the Cave Hill School of Business and also lectured on the course which has graduated over 80 persons who have gone on to do Master’s degrees.

“I can confidently speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say we are proud of Reggie. Over the years, he has represented us well at the Inter-American conference on social security,” said Skelton, who noted that she and her colleagues convinced Thomas that it was time to take up greater responsibility as director of CIESS and he agreed.

Skelton said that she was appointed as Thomas’ campaign manager after he insisted and his bid was supported by the United States, Canada, Mexico and several other Spanish speaking countries. She noted that Thomas won the election by a landslide.

Skelton also described Thomas as the sharpest dresser in social security and a devoted Christian.

“He is loved by all of us and we wish him the best…joy and blessings my dear pumpkin,” said Skelton to loud laughter.

In response, a teary eyed Thomas commented, “It is in moments like these we find what is truest in life and that is each of us appreciating one another for who we truly are.”

Thomas used the opportunity to thank his staff and board members and stressed that it was an uplifting experience to work at the NIS.

“I want to thank the Government…together we have done great work,” said Thomas.

He said that of all the collaborations between the NIS and the Government, the golden years activity centres stand out.

“The NIS cannot stop now; we have to make sure that every single household and every single student…understand the importance of social security,” said Thomas.(LC)