In an auspicious farewell ceremony, on Monday 18th July, management and staff members of Belmond Cap Juluca Resort gathered at The Pavilion to bid good-bye to Mr. Kevin Carty who was recently promoted to the position of General Manager at another hotel – Aurora Golf Resort & Spa.
Kevin, a native of Anguilla, who hails from South Hill, had been attached to the Cap Juluca Resort for nine years. There, he had worked in the capacity of Financial Controller, Operations Manager, Belmond Host and, most recently, Resident Manager. Prior to the beginning of his stint at Cap Juluca, in 2013, he had been employed at Aurora, then the Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa, as Assistant Financial Controller and later as Financial Controller.
As Kevin moves to Aurora, it is evident that many of his fellow team-workers at Cap Juluca will miss his camaraderie. At Monday’s parting ceremony a special video was dedicated to his memory. In it several of his colleagues from the various departments bade him farewell. They reflected on the jovial experiences shared, and the fond moments of interpersonal working relations with him, while extending to him best wishes for his future pursuits.
Amidst the cheers of the bitter/sweet occasion, Kevin spoke in emotional tones as he thanked his well-wishers: “I will treasure this video for the rest of my life,” he said. “This is a digital heirloom, and it will be one of my great keepsakes.
“Cap Juluca has taught me so much. It has taught me that even the longest night has to end, and the darkest night is always followed by the brightness of the dawn. I was here when a lot of things took place – when the receivers came; when they put locks on the rooms; when we could not pay off our bills; when we were so uncertain and did not know what would happen next.
“But we have weathered the storms together, and look at Cap Juluca today. I say the darkest night is followed by a bright dawn. Cap Juluca, as a hotel property, is on an even keel now, and she is heading into the wind with very good hands at the helm. There are great things to come for this resort in the years ahead.
“I want to say thanks to you all for making my stay at Cap Juluca what is has been over the years. At Cap Juluca, it is not just about our guests. We live and work in unity as a family. It has been a pleasure working with you all. As I leave, I am feeling sorry to be moving away from such a united team, but I am happy that you’ll be here, and I know that because of you – along with the fine management team – great things will happen for Cap Juluca. God bless each one of you, and God bless Cap Juluca.”
Cap Juluca’s General Manager, Sasha Tyas, and Executive Assistant, Judine Green, presented Kevin with “gifts for his new office. He was very delighted to have received them and said that he will treasure them, while reflecting on the great memories of his Julucan family.
General Manager, Sasha Tyas, stated: “At Cap Juluca, we are all so proud of Kevin’s new venture. We are going to miss him, but we know that this is an incredible opportunity for both Kevin and the country.
“Kevin has had multiple stints at Cap Juluca, beginning in 2009 when he worked for the prior ownership as the Financial Controller for about two and half years. He then rejoined the company in 2013 as an Operations Manager, and then moved into the Belmond Host role in 2018, after the Belmond acquisition of the property – post Hurricane Irma. At the start of the 2020 tourism season, Kevin was promoted into his current role at Cap Juluca.
“Kevin is not only a seasoned operations executive, but one that constantly takes a pulse of the soul of the resort – our team members. All of our team members wish Kevin well in his new post, and our leadership personnel look forward to working hands-on with him as we take our neighbourly relationship with Aurora to new heights.”
“Continuing to promote Anguilla and its thriving hospitality industry is something I personally look forward to continuing with Kevin and our industry partners,” she said.
Speaking directly to The Anguillian newspaper, Kevin said: “I am really honoured to have been part of such a team for nine years. Cap Juluca is staffed by the most passionate and dedicated people who care so much about their guests.”
“This resort has been very kind to me,” he remarked. “It is the flagship resort of Anguilla, and to me it has been like a university. I have grown here, and I learnt a lot here. I was exposed to much at Cap Juluca which has benefitted me immensely in my profession. I am truly grateful for the education that I have gotten here.”
Asked whether he was looking forward to leaving, he responded: “It is not so much about ‘looking forward’ per se. It is not about Kevin. I am just embracing a greater opportunity to be further challenged – to serve in a key position in the hotel industry – and to serve the people of Anguilla as I go forward as a General Manager. I am grateful for this opportunity, which is rare for Anguillians.”
The Anguillian newspaper wishes Mr. Carty all the best as he embarks upon his new endeavour.
