Ashford Wood leaves CDC chief executive post

The first and only chief executive officer of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), Ashford Wood is leaving the post by month’s end.

CDC Chairman, Ricardo Adams told the prize giving ceremony for Vincymas 2024 that several people have moved on from the CDC board this year.

He mentioned former chairman, Dennis Ambrose, who was an advisor as well as John Mason and Glen Beache, adding that the former board members have “moved on from the CDC to a post-stressful life…

“We want to say thank you for your service over the years,” Adams said at WEdnesday’s event. 

He then announced that in another two weeks, Wood “is going to step off into a post-CDC retirement life where he will be smiling a lot more as he may grow back some hair. As you notice, he’s pulled all of it out trying to make sure that everybody is happy”.

The CDC chair noted that Wood has been the only CEO of the statutory corporation — which replaced its predecessor, the Carnival Development Committee about two decades ago as the entity responsible for staging Vincymas.

“… he has taken us a long way from whence we came to where we are now,” Adams said of Wood.

“And we certainly want to wish him well in his post-CDC endeavours. And we’re sure that as an avid follower of calypso and as an avid supporter of culture, he will always be with us in Victoria Park.”

Speaking at the same event, Minister of Culture, Carlos James thanked Wood for his service as CEO of CDC.

“And I’m certain we are going to miss Ashford, with his easygoing, very calm disposition and the way in which he carries out and executes his role as chief executive officer.

“Many times, everyone else around is flustered but he has a steady head and has been able to hold the CDC together for a very long time while as a CEO,” the culture minister said. 

“We’re going to miss him, and I want to thank him for his contribution to the creative sector and to CDC and to Pankaimas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

James, however, said he was “eagerly anticipating the period of refreshing and renewal within the CDC, where we can stand on the shoulders of the former chairpersons and former directors and CEO and to bring in a fresh guard, and to really take the CDC to another level in supporting Vincymas and supporting our creative economy. 

“I am looking forward to this period of restructuring, and I’m certain that Ricky, with his guidance and leadership as chairman, along with his board and the team that is in place, the transition team will do a magnificent job in selecting the best candidates for the various positions that will become vacant within the CDC.”

James said he was looking forward to working with “the team of bright and talented young Vincentians who will assume that role and responsibility”.

And, Murray Bullock, chairman of the Board of the National Lotteries Authority, the main sponsor of Vincymas, praised Wood’s contribution to the CDC and Vincymas.

He said his first interaction with Wood was initially through sport.

“And I don’t know how many persons know this but Ashford was a national volleyball captain, one of the best setters in the entire OECS, and an outstanding administrator of volleyball.”

Bullock said Wood is also “one of the live wires” in the top Belair Progressive Organisation, whose activities include annual softball cricket and domino competitions.

“Ashford is also an outstanding community activist. He was involved in several projects,” Murray said, mentioning the development — along with former and current MP for West St. Goerge Ces McKie and Curtis King — of the mineral spring (“spa”) in Gomea. 

“This is a tremendous tourism project, and it would benefit the community in the years to come,” Bullock said. 

“Ashford is also a stalwart in the credit union movement and held several positions during his years of service. Additionally, he’s an outstanding educator who was the principal … of Thomas Saunders Secondary School, and in the latter years, he provided tremendous service to CDC … [as] CEO.”

Bullock said it was a pleasure working with Wood and his board at CDC. 

“And I want to join with Mr. Adams in wishing you all the best as you turn a new chapter because I know you are not the retiring type. I’m sure there’s something in the pipeline that you’d be launching into. I wish you every success in your future endeavours.”