Alex Bruno

This is a Triple Shout Out to Cora Richards, James Dominique, and Urania Williams.

I decided to present this Triple Shout in commemoration of Thea Lafond-Gadston's success in the Triple Jump field event in Paris 2024. She jumped 15.02 m to take gold at the summer Olympics.

The reason for combining these three remarkable individuals in this shout out is clear. Cora, James and Uran operate (operated) a the very top when it comes to global telecommunications.

Cora Richards believes in God, Family, People, Teamwork, and Success through Honest Means...somewhat in that order. Cora believes in service to community and country. She is a resolute professional who makes little allowances for errors, and when mistakes happen, Cora is the best fixer one could find.

I know Cora, I have worked with her, I have seen her in action under pressure, and the greater the stress the better she comes through. I have seen Cora relaxed, I have observed her being annoyed. What is unique about Cora is that anger looks pretty on her. Don't ask me how; ask her.

Cora would appear stern, but beneath the sternness resides a smurkish smile which whispers hope, love and compassion. Cora was a master at executing tasks (probably she still is), and when things didn't go as planned, she let it be until the next time.

Cora is honest and fair. She detests - with a pasion - laziness, and motivates people by doing the simplest of things. I remember Cora gifted me a compilation CD which featured my song - Osama Say. This was special...I was indeed motivated to produce more great music, and the very next year, I had another hit - Child Money.

Enough for now...

James Dominique is ia a master craftsman, a reliable field operator, a man af all seasons, the dirty work specialist, (he was Mr. Exquisite when he needed to be), he was a front man, a point man, a reliable team player; James is the person you called when you want to get something done at once. Believe me, James got it done right and right, and he is always the last man to leave. I never understood why.

Just give James a plan & tools necessary to accomplish the mission, provide the human resource and consider the job done. I believe that James is a workaholic! Water and a towel were/are James' preferred tools, and his energy, willpower, overall work aptitude and acument made him invaluable. Yes, in my view, James was/is invaluable.

There is a particular kind of honesty which comes with being James Dominique that is very uncommon. Unreliability and lack of punctuality probably rubs James the worse way. I can say so, because I have witnessed his displeasure when people whom he relied upon did not deliver.

James respects authority, but he did not see subordinates as less than anyone else. In fact, James would stand up for his people against the will of the principals of the company. I believe he might have gotten in trouble (once or twice) doing so. James, however, respected authority - he just found a way around....

Urania Williams is an elegant leader of leaders. He was slow to act, but when she did, her actions were swift and the effect sank deep. If you want to cross someone, Uran should not be that someone.

Uran has a mind of gold, and everything that her hands touched blossomed. Uran does not like double, two-faced, no face, bold face, tricky, unrealizable people. I suspect, as well, that Uran does not appreciate it when people speak before thinking. Uran does not do well when she is misinformed or ill-informed.

If you are going to report to Uran, make sure that your information is full-proof and that there should be no questions when it comes to the veracity of the fats.

Uran called me, Alec. She scolded me once, and it never happened again. She once told me (almost verbatim): as a Cable & Wireless employee, your word is golden. I rely on what you tell me to inform the higher-ups, so come good! I came good every time after that.

I am here rambling on, but I have not said how I know Cora, James and Uran. Well, Cora, Jame and I belong to an elite group of Dominicans who have been sold from one company to another.

Yes, sold! Cora, James, Uran and I were sold in that deal from Cable & Wireless to Lime - Flow, but it was Cora, and it was Urania, Cora and James who were responsible for me being sold. I was a contracted Cable & Wireless employee on a continuing contract that had a very lucrative financial consideration.

To say that I was well compensated would be an understatement, and it was Cora, James and Uran who advanced arguments in my favor. Thank you, Cora James and Uran. I am not sure that any current (or past) telecommunications brand ambassador enjoyed the sort of benefits which I received, and this was mainly due to Cora, James and Uran. Thank You!

I worked with Cora, James and Uran for over a decade, and when they left the business, I continued on a slightly different arrangement. But the same good ole love and respect remenined through Ferdina Fernanda Frampton, Phenomenal Woman, Bertrand "Berty" Phillipson, Jofa et. al.

It was really a family affair at C & W, Lime, Flow. Oh how I miss those days. Memories are, however, significant, so let me hang on to those precious (priceless) moments which were shared with Cora, James and Uran et. al.

Retirement should not sunset the wealth which Cora, James and Uran possess. It is my view that clues for the future successes of telecommunications in Dominica rests in those who have served the industry best, and Cora, James and Uran have.

Take a bow, guys!

I end by saying THANK YOU again and again. The contribution of Cora, James and Uran to my professional life and successes cannot be overstated. I am forever indebted to you.

Best regards,

Alex.