Our Executives
Ethics & Excellence
At EdgeChem®, our success is driven by the expertise and vision of our Board of Directors and Senior Management. With a wealth of experience, our leadership team is committed to guiding the company towards sustainable growth, innovation, and excellence. Meet the individuals who shape our strategy and ensure we deliver value to our stakeholders.
Errol Powell, B.Sc. (Hons.), M.B.A.
Chairman
Mr Errol Powel is an outstanding Jamaican engineer, entrepreneur, company director and patriot with over four decades of continuous service to the growth and development of the Jamaican Manufacturing Sector. Since 2000 he has been the owner and chairman of P.A. Benjamin Manufacturing Company Limited, one of Jamaica’s most historic manufacturing companies, with the Benjamins Brand being a household name among Jamaicans at home and abroad.
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Mr. Powell is a trained Chemical Engineer with a B.Sc. Degree (First Class Honours) from the University of the West Indies. He also holds a M.B.A. Degree from the University of Toronto, Canada, majoring in Finance and Quantitative Methods.
He has extensive experience in analysing and assessing business and operating situations, developing plans for business improvement, conceptualizing new projects, evaluating feasibility, designing complete operating and information systems for new businesses and upgrading such systems for existing businesses. He has also distinguished himself as a company executive with an excellent track record of negotiating major contracts and he is respected in various industries for his high degree of professionalism and business ethics.
Before acquiring PA Benjamin, Mr. Powel spent 30 years of his career with the ICD Group, culminating as Senior Vice President of Chief Financial Officer.
He has held (and continues to hold) directorships in many organisations, including Jamaica Bauxite Mining Company, Development Bank of Jamaica, WIHCON Properties Limited, and Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited.
Doreen Frankson (CD)
Deputy Executive Chairman
Ms. Doreen Frankson is a formidable advocate for Jamaica’s manufacturing sector. She is one of Jamaica’s most influential entrepreneurs, and the only woman to represent the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) in the capacity of president. Her experience, coupled with Advanced Management Program training at the Harvard Business School in 1988, created the formula for achieving success in daunting economic times.
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Ms. Frankson is the principal and visionary behind Edgechem® (Jamaica) Limited. She brought the wealth of experience gained from having worked in the chemical industry, being the co-founder of Steinhol Chemicals in 1972 and Quality Chemicals Jamaica Limited, to the Company. Under her leadership as Managing Director for the Company, Edgechem® has grown from a local to a regional brand.
Additionally, she has served as Chairperson for Devon House Development Ltd., Jamaica Business Development Corporation, and Island Ice and Beverage Company Limited; and has held Directorships for the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association, the National Export Import Bank of Jamaica and Deputy Chairmanship for the Security Programme Oversight Committee (Securipoc- Ministry of National Security). She has served as a Commissioner, Financial Services Commission (FSC).
Ms. Frankson has earned several awards for her unparalleled contribution to the advancement of local industrial production, including the Order of Distinction (Commander), which was conferred on her in 2006.
Omar Azan
Director
Mr. Omar Azan has been one of Jamaica’s leading manufacturers and exporters of furniture for over 20 years. As an avid believer in service above self, he has become a strong voice for the manufacturing industry. He has charted a course that has resulted in the achievement of noteworthy milestones, such as the removal of the 2% Customs User Fee on raw materials and capital equipment, provision of free factory space for start-ups and expanding entities, and the award of contracts to local printers, during his tenure as president of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association.
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Mr. Azan has successfully influenced business growth for over 24 years. He is the founder and CEO of Boss Furniture Company Limited, a leading manufacturing company with local and regional customers, and an employer of over 200 Jamaicans.
Sherry Ann McGregor, (LLB., MCIARB)
Director
Ms. Sherry Ann McGregor is a partner in the Litigation Department of Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon & Co, with significant experience as an advocate in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in Jamaica. She has been a Supreme Court certified mediator since 2002 and is a member of the panel of mediators. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
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Ms. McGregor was the president of the Jamaican Bar Association (2016 – 2017), where she previously served as assistant treasurer, treasurer, and vice president. At various times, she was an associate tutor in Family Law at the Norman Manley Law School, a member of the Board of Management of the Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls, the chairperson of the Legal and Ethical Sub-Committee of the National AIDS Committee, and chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee of the Kingston School of Nursing.
She is currently a director of JN General Insurance Company Limited, and one of the original members of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s Corporate Governance Review Committee, and a member of the University of the West Indies Research Ethics Committee.
William McLeod, BSc.
Director
Mr. William McLeod, (now retired) a graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Management), served as Managing Director for Van Leer, Jamaica & Belize and Managing Director for Carib Metal “Succ” Ltd. He has held the positions of Board Chairman for Edgechem® (Jamaica) Limited, Ridgefield Investment, Surrey Council of Churches and The Caribbean Council of Churches (Jamaica) and served as a member of the Board of Greif Jamaica Limited. Currently he is Chairman of the Camperdown High School Board and serves on the Board of Parkland Industrial Co. Limited and Holland High School.
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An active Rotarian since 1979, he has served as president, secretary, and director in several administrations. As a member of St. Stephens United Church, he plays a dynamic role in church life and administration.
Mr. Gladstone “Tony” Lewars (CD)
Director
Mr. Gladstone “Tony” Lewars, is a Chartered Accountant by profession and a retired partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers where he was the Leader for the Advisory division of the firm. He is the holder of two master’s degrees in economics and accounting from the University of the West Indies. He has over 30 years’ accounting and business experience obtained through auditing and consultancy. His areas of expertise are Organization and Strategic Reviews, Financial Accounting and Operating Systems Review, Job Evaluation and Compensation and Performance Management. He has consulted extensively in both the private and public sectors of Jamaica.
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He is a director of Mayberry Investment Ltd., Jamaica National Bank Ltd., and Guardian Life Ltd., and chairs the boards of JN Cayman Ltd., JN Cayman Money Services Ltd., and Guardian Group Foundation.
In 2015, he was conferred with the honour of the Order of Distinction (Commander), in recognition of his invaluable service to the public and private sectors in which he made an indelible mark on the operations of local and regional organisations through his wealth of experience and influence.
Senior Managment
Senior Managment
Mellissa McHargh, BSc. (Hons), MSc. (Hons)
Mellissa McHargh, was appointed General Manager, Edgechem® (Jamaica) Limited in 2005, having previously served as Director – Corporate Service, Planning & Research at the National Solid Waste Management Authority. She served as director of ABDJU Sciences Limited, an environmental consultancy firm registered in Jamaica and operated in the Caribbean from 2008 to 2015. In February 2012, she was appointed chair of the Scientific Research Council, where she served until 2016, as the first female chair.
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Ms. McHargh read for a BSc. in Geology minoring in Chemistry from the University of the West Indies and graduated with Honours (1995). She also holds a MSc. in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia (1999) and executive leadership and management education from Harvard Business School (2010).
With a forward-thinking philosophy, she has delivered operational and financial excellence in her current management role. She has helped to steer a team to achieving year over year increases, making the Company one of the fastest growth paint manufacturers in Jamaica. She recognises that a top performing team is key to attaining organisational goals. By harnessing the best talents, and delegating tactical responsibilities to the right personnel, she has successfully executed leading edge strategies.
Kenarthur Mitchell, JP, MSc. M.B.A.
Mr. Mitchell has been the Commercial & Finance Manager at Edgechem® (Jamaica) Limited, since 2014. He is also the Company Secretary. He served as the CEO and president of First Financial Caribbean (Jamaica) Ltd./ QuikCash Remittance (2002 – 2010), where he was responsible for the development of QuikCash/ SunMoney transfer services in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
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He was the Deputy General Manager of Finance, Investments and Corporate Planning of City of Kingston Co-operative Credit Union (COK) from 1991 – 2002, where he was instrumental in the development and implementation of sound accounting policies and procedures, research and development of products and services such as the introduction of credit cards, money transfer services, and special motor car loan portfolio.
He served as the General Manager of Finance and Administration for Guardian Insurance Brokers (1989 – 1991), Financial Controller for Industrial Fabrication Ltd. (1982 – 1989) and Assistant Cost Accountant for Colgate Palmolive Ltd. (1980 – 1982).
His greatest strengths enhance the fiscal acumen required to maintain all financial aspects of the Company.
Grace Ann Jackson, BSc. MBA
Grace Ann Jackson has over thirty-one (31) years’ experience working in the paint industry. She is a graduate of both the University of Technology and the University of the West Indies, with both universities credited with providing her the requisite skills that have allowed her to excel in her field.
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Ms. Jackson holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of the West Indies where she majored in Marketing. She is also the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management (Hons.) and a Diploma in Production Management (Hons.) from the University of Technology.
She joined Edgechem (Jamaica) Limited in March 1991. As one of the first employees of the Company, she was in charge of the Quality Control Laboratory and was instrumental in developing and maintaining the standards for its first products and ensuring that they are of the highest quality for the market. She held the position of Production Manager from March 1997 to February 2007.
After completing her master’s degree at the University of the West Indies, she was promoted to the position of Operations Manager of Edgechem on March 1, 2007, with additional responsibilities for logistics (import/ export), warehousing, procurement, fleet management and maintenance.
Ms. Jackson is a strong believer in leading by example and operates with a hands-on management style.
Kemoy Douglas, BSc.
Kemoy Douglas has been the Technical & Manufacturing Process Manager at Edgechem® since 2014. He is a professionally qualified, experienced, and technically competent Chemist with well-developed skills and expertise in the research and development and quality control processes. He is also a production and manufacturing process specialist, whose exposure to the manufacturing industry began in 2006. He has over 10 years’ experience in paint manufacturing.
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Mr. Douglas is the holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Chemistry and Applied Chemistry from the University of the West Indies and holds many other professional certifications. His work experience spans general operations, supply chain and project management. He has also worked as a food chemist and a regulator of various food processing plants. He is meticulous and possesses sound management and leadership skills.
Joseph Desporte, BSc.
Joseph Desporte is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. He is a qualified Chemist with over 26 years’ practical experience covering the petroleum, bauxite/alumina and coating industries. He has over 18 years’ supervisory experience in management, with in- depth knowledge of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System and serves as a certified internal auditor for the System.
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He was Edgechem’s Technical Manager between 2009 and 2016 and has served as Chief Chemist since April 2018. Mr. Desporte has responsibility for research and development, and leads the development, coordination and implementation of strategies for product development and improvements. He volunteers in the Bureau of Standards Jamaica standard development process, where he serves as the Technical Secretary of the Paints and Surface Coatings Technical Committee.