A shake-up at state-run Urban Development Corporation (Udecott) is concerning staff as the new chairman, Noel Garcia, has brought in a crew of high-level staff without notice.
The T&T Guardian has learned that Garcia has brought in Margaret Chow as the acting chief executive officer even though the post has never been advertised internally or externally. The Udecott website now states that Chow has been appointed for a three-month period while the state organisation engages a human resources company to find a long-term CEO.
However, insiders at the state-owned company yesterday expressed shock over the appointment as Chow was unceremoniously brought in to act in the head position.
Chow is not alone.
The T&T Guardian learned, yesterday, that Garcia has also brought in several of his own picks into Udecott for high-level posts that have not yet been advertised. Former People's National Movement (PNM) member of Parliament for St Ann's East, Joanne Thomas, has been brought in as the new head of human resources. The HR manager, Brenda John, who did go through a hiring process, has been retained but in a lesser capacity.
Another unadvertised position, assistant to the manager, has been filled by Keisha Virgil, again brought in by Garcia. Former Ms Universe contestant Althea Rocke was also brought in as the new head of Facilities.
Former CEO Kurt Ramlal resigned days before Garcia was appointed. Industry insiders say that Garcia already knew he was tipped to take the helm at Udecott and that “made Ramlal nervous.”
The T&T Guardian contacted Ramlal yesterday but once the paper identified itself and posed questions surrounding Garcia's appointment, Ramlal quickly disconnected the call and would not respond to subsequent calls or texts.
Insiders are contesting that while other state agencies promoted someone already employed within the organisation as interim leader until posts were advertised and that due processes were followed, that was not the case at the Udecott.
Chow replaced Garcia at HDC back in 2008, when he resigned to take up positions at three other state boards under the former PNM regime.
Garcia was also reportedly central to the resignation of Joint Consultative Council president Afra Raymond. The Sunday Guardian reported two weeks ago that Raymond was forced to resign after publicly questioning Garcia's eligibility to run a state board, because of allegations that he failed to appear before the Commission of Enquiry (CoE) into the Las Alturas project.
Back in 2009, Chow wrote a report which cleared now Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley of any wrongdoing in the Cleaver Heights affair during the Bob Linquist-led enquiry into the spending on that project
Garcia has apparently chosen not to say anything in public, and did not answer calls from the Guardian between Thursday and yesterday. On Friday, a woman answered his mobile phone and said he was in a board meeting and would return the media’s call as soon as he got out.
Attempts to reach him up to late yesterday were unsuccessful.
Line Minister for Udecott, Housing Minister Marlene McDonald, was prepared to face up to questions on the matter yesterday, defending Garcia and his actions at the state organisation.
“The minister’s intervention is not necessary,” McDonald said.
She said the board of directors was in control of the operations at Udecott.
“The board needs to be left unfettered to do their job,” she said.
McDonald said she was “not privy” to what was happening at Udecott and directed all questions about the state organisation to Garcia.
“Mr Garcia is an exceptional person and I expect him to do well at the Udecott,” she said.