BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW CABINET MEMBERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PORT OF SPAIN 001151 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR. INR/IAA AND INR/B E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL TD SUBJECT: BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW CABINET MEMBERS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Patrick Manning's new cabinet includes a number of new faces, some members of his former cabinet who have been given different portfolios, and two who have retained their old ministries. The cabinet is noteworthy for the number of women the PM has placed in positions of power. Despite some sniping and skepticism from the media and members of the defeated UNC-A party, the general public, as well as career members of the various ministries, seem willing to adopt a "wait and see" attitude. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Brief biographies of the members of Prime Minister Patrick Manning's new cabinet follow: Mustapha ABDUL-HAMID*Minister of Public Utilities Mr. Abdul-Hamid was Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education immediately prior to the elections. He was also previously Minister of Social Development. Before beginning government service, he worked as a teacher after receiving a BA from the University of the West Indies in History and Political Science. Bridgid ANNISETTE-GEORGE*Attorney General Ms. Annissete-George, was previously an attorney in private practice and a lecturer at Hugh Wooding Law School in St. Augustine. Her small law firm specialized in civil and matrimonial law, conveyancing and probate. Amery BROWNE*Minister of Social Development Mr. Brown, a young doctor who was chosen to run for the seat of the ousted candidate Ken Valley, previously served as the National Director of the National AIDS Coordinating Committee. As a former chairman and board member for several medical organizations, PM Manning continually placed Dr. Brown in the spot-light during the campaigning. Emily DICK-FORDE*Minister of Planning, Housing and Environment Dr. Dick-Forde was previously Acting Head of the Department of Management Studies at the University of the West Indies. She has a BS with first class honors from the University of the West Indies, a Master's Degree in Finance from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD in Accounting from the University of Dundee. Rennie DUMAS*Minister of Labor and Small and Micro-Enterprise Development Mr. Dumas, 52, previously served as Minister of Local Government. He has both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in management from the University of the West Indies, and has experience as a teacher, manager and policy analyst. Conrad ENILL*Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Mr. ENILL served as a junior minister in the Ministry of Finance before the elections (PM Manning held the portfolio of Minister of Finance). He has an MBA from Brunul University and Hanley Management College in England. Mr. Enill has extensive management experience in the fields of sales and marketing, technology and consulting, and finance. The PM chose to take Mr. Enill with him to the Commonwealth Summit to discuss energy cooperation. Paula GOPEE-SCOON*Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Gopee-Scoon, 49, was a relative unknown in the Pt. Fortin district from which she ran for Parliament, having left there when she was 17. She earned a BS in Public Administration and Law from the University of the West Indies in Barbados and an honors LLB from the University of London. She has experience as a teacher and a banker. Ms. Gopee-Scoon, who is reputed to be a very pleasant person, is not known to the local diplomatic community and has openly said she will be in a learning mode in her initial period at the MFA. She did not accompany the PM to the Commonwealth Summit, his first post-election foreign trip. Gary HUNT*Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Mr. Hunt, 47, was originally an avionics services engineer, PORT OF SP 00001151 002 OF 003 then established and ran a fashion design business before entering politics. Colm IMBERT*Minister of Works and Transport Mr. Imbert retained his post. He has also served as Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, and as Minister of Health. He has a BS in Civil Engineering, a MS in Maritime Civil Engineering, and a Master of Laws in Construction Law and Arbitration with distinction. Mr. Imbert will oversee several large scale highway, high-speed rail, and ferry projects in the coming years. Martin JOSEPH*Minister of National Security and Rehabilitation Mr. Joseph retained his post at the Ministry of National Security, where he has served since November of 2003, despite criticism regarding the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago. He has previously served as Minister of Housing and Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment. Mr. Joseph received a B.A from George Washington University and a MS. from the University of Maryland. Mr. Joseph's area of expertise is in human resource management. He has a son at the Air Force Academy. Christine KANGALOO*Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Ms. Kangaloo was appointed Minister of Legal Affairs in early 2007, and served in that position until the election. She was appointed an Opposition Senator in 2001, and then was appointed a Government Senator in 2002. From October 2002 until her appointment as Minister of Legal Affairs, she worked as a Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister. Esther LE GENDRE*Minister of Education Ms. Le Gendre has an MBA from the University of the West Indies. She formerly held senior positions at the National Investment Bank and several local advertising, insurance, and oil companies. She has received training and certification in internal brand management, corporate social responsibility, and community relations. A founding member of the Rotary Club of Maraval, she is fluent in French and Spanish. Hazel MANNING*Minister of Local Government Ms. Manning, wife of the PM, was previously Minister of Education, where she won favorable reviews for her performance. She is a social scientist who has also worked in the Ministry of Planning and Development and as the Manager of the Social Affairs Unit of the National Housing Authority. Prime Minister Manning said he place Ms. Manning as Minister of Local Government due to her experience in bringing people together to cooperate and in collecting and assessing data., particularly social assessment surveys. He also noted that if any local government reorganization is necessary, his wife's experience in restructuring involving the Education Ministry would be valuable. Patrick MANNING*Prime Minister Patrick Manning previously served as PM from 1991-95 and from 2001 to the 2007 election. He has served in a number of ministries, and was first elected to Parliament in 1971. Extensive biographic information on Mr. Manning is available in Washington and on Embassy websites. Marlene MCDONALD*Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Ms. McDonald, a former teacher, is also an attorney-at-law and an economist. She attended the University of the West Indies both in Barbados and at St. Augustine. Jerry NARACE*Minister of Health Mr. Narace, a wealthy businessman, was previously an at-large Ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago. As head of Public Relations for the PNM, he played a key role in the campaign. He enjoys the confidence and ear of the Prime Minister, but it is not clear how much he can sway him. Karen NUNEZ-TESHEIRA*Minister of Finance Ms. Nunez-Tesheira, 51, an attorney and Senior Tutor at Hugh Wooding Law School in St. Augustine, earned her law degree from University of the West Indies in St. Augustine and a PORT OF SP 00001151 003 OF 003 Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School. She also holds an Executive MBA from the Arthur Lok Jack School of Business. She was a surprise choice for Minister of Finance and has drawn some comments about her lack of experience. Ms. Nunez-Tesheira said she would rely on the experience, expertise and advice of career professionals in the Ministry to bring her up to speed. Neil PARSANLAL*Minister of Information Mr. Parsanlal, 42, is a former communications specialist and former seminarian. He received his degree in Marketing Communications from New York University and has experience working with many of the largest companies in Trinidad and Tobago. Arnold PIGOTT*Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources Mr. Pigott was previously Minister of Foreign Affairs, and prior to that was Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner to Canada. He was previously Minister of Works and Transport for ten months in 2002. Mr. Piggott has a background in banking and extensive experience as a financial consultant. Mr. Pigott received his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York. Joseph ROSS*Minister of Tourism Mr. Ross, a certified auditor, has a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Management and a post-graduate degree in Environmental Management. He has held senior positions in the Ministry of Finance, Water and Sewer Authority (WASA), and the National Petroleum Marketing Company. Keith ROWLEY*Minister of Trade and Industry Dr. Rowley replaces Ken Valley, whom Manning prevented from standing again as a candidate for Parliament. Rowley was previously Minister of Housing, and has also served as Minister of Planning and Development and Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Marine Resources. He was Deputy Political Leader of the PNM between 1987 and 1995. He has a PhD in Geology. Lenny SAITH*Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Dr. Saith is a trusted colleague of the PM and often serves as Acting PM in Manning's absence. He was dual-hatted in the last administration as Energy Minister and also as the Minister of Public Administration and Information (this latter Ministry was split into two entities after the election.) In his new job, Saith is expected to help guide and coordinate his new cabinet members to assure the PM's wishes are carried out. Kennedy SWARATSINGH*Minister of Public Administration Mr. Swaratsingh was previously an ordained priest and also a Major in the TT Defense Force. In addition to a BA in Theology he has an MBA in Human Resource Management and Tourism. Most recently he was CEO of the Government Human Resources Services Company Limited. Peter TAYLOR*Minister of Legal Affairs Mr. Taylor , 42, an attorney, has worked as a project analyst with the Ministry of Planning and Development, as a legal research officer at the Chief Personnel Office, and as a journalist with the Trinidad Guardian.. He has a degree from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. AUSTIN