Mandeville, Jamaica….[Nigel Coke/IAD]
History was made in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the West Indies Union as the first woman head-treasurer was appointed, following the centennial celebration in that union earlier this month.
Carmelita Findlay was voted in by the executive committee members of the church in West Indies on Nov. 15. She is preceded by Dr. Herman Ming, who accepted a call to serve as managing director of the West Indies Union Investment Management Ltd. (IML).
“It is a very exciting time for the union,” said Pastor Patrick Allen, president of the church in the West Indies, remarking on Findlay's appointment. “She is capable, competent, cordial, candid and compassionate. We are confident that she will give quality leadership to one of the largest treasuries in the Inter-American Division. She brings much experience to the post and has the support of the entire Union.”
Findlay thanked the executive committee for the confidence that they have placed in her at such a time in the history of the church.
“Never before have I had the ambition for that noble chair,” said Findlay. “There are others who I know can do equal work or better than I can do. However, with God's help, which I am always relying on, I am confident that He will help me to successfully accomplish the task which is before me.”
Findlay brings to this position a wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of the church and its administration. In addition, she holds a Master's degree in business administration and is a certified professional secretary.
Findlay first served in the Union office in 1984 as secretary to the treasurer, then as accountant, then chief accountant and assistant treasurer. In 1996, she was appointed Associate Treasurer, a position she held until 2002 when she was called by West Jamaica Conference to be Treasurer. She recently returned to the West Indies Union as associate treasurer.
Dr. Ming, who is licensed by the Financial Services Commission as a financial dealer, brings a wealth of experience to IML. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from the University of the West Indies in management studies, he worked as general manager of the St. Mary Cooperative Credit Union for12 years. Under his leadership, the credit union expanded to many times its original size. He then joined the Eagle Financial Permanent Building Society as its manager and established five branches island-wide.
Dr. Ming entered denominational work as treasurer of the East Jamaica Conference in addition to director of Trust Services and ADRA. He began serving as head treasurer of the West Indies Union in 2000. He also holds a master's degree in religion from Andrews University. He later pursued studies in applied management and decision sciences at Walden University, USA and earned a doctor of philosophy degree in May 2005. Dr. Ming is a Justice of the Peace.
IML, which was established in 2003, is wholly owed by the conferences, missions and institutions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the West Indies Union Conference.
