Ex-Dart exec gets top job in premier’s office
(CNS): Pilar Bush has been appointed by Premier Wayne Panton as chief of strategy, heading up his office in a new political post that will see the former Dart executive pull together government strategic policy. Bush will attend Caucus meetings and support the work of all ministers and parliamentary secretaries to promote the strategic alignment of the PACT Government’s priorities.
She will be tasked with sustainability, forming part of the economic, social and environmental strategies, decision-making, and day-to-day operations.
In a press release about her appointment, the premier said noted the advantage of having an experienced professional help PACT, alongside senior civil servants, with planning, implementing and delivering the policy objectives.
‘With a chief of strategy in place, we can more effectively design the cohesive national strategies required to achieve PACT’s vision for our three Islands, and implement actionable plans to deliver the results we promised in our budget and Strategic Policy Statement,” said Panton.
“I am pleased that Ms Bush has agreed to serve as our chief of strategy. She has a sound understanding of the country’s economic, social and environmental needs that, when paired with her ability to facilitate strategy development, collaborating across diverse sectors to deliver high-value results, makes her an excellent fit for this role,” he said.
In a press release from the premier’s office, officials said Bush will assist ministers and parliamentary secretaries to develop and implement plans within their portfolios, and where inter-ministerial collaboration is required, to achieve key objectives.
With the addition of this new post, the premier expects the PACT Government to better leverage the unique strengths of each member of the team and benefit from the improved coordination and teamwork, officials said.
Bush, who has been in the private sector for the last 15 years, said she was honoured to have been asked to take on this job.
“I began my professional journey in the public sector,” she said. “I understand and respect the challenging circumstances under which public servants are required to operate and equally understand the elected officials’ sense of urgency to get things done.”
Bush started as a civil servant in the Department of Tourism and rose to be its director, a role she is well known for after overseeing the country’s tourism recovery and repositioning following Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
A qualified and competent professional, Bush is likely to bring a welcome shake-up to the government, which has been criticised for the evident policy clashes across ministries, especially between the premier’s own climate resilience and sustainability portfolio with the planning ministry.
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Category: Politics
Pilar please go and read the book of Exodus. You will probably have to gather straw and stones to make bricks.
Isn’t it time to put an end to Cayman’s wealth-based residency program? Being rich should not be the only criteria necessary to become a resident of the Cayman Islands.
It’s not. There is a point system. Self-sufficiency is supposed to be a major test criteria that many feel has not been uniformly applied. At the higher-end permit level, it involves demonstrating connection and contribution, as well as financial tests such as income level, savings, and property ownership of equal or greater value over the life of PR application, naturalisation application, and status application after 15 years continuous full-time residency.
@31/01/2022 at 9:53 am You’re correct. What is supposed to happen is that the applicant is supposed to make real contributions to the society to which they are applying to join. In reality however (for many applicants, not for all) the contributions made are minimal at best prior to applying, then pretty much none existent after they’ve been approved. I’ve provided references for many PR and Status applicants over the years, and when I’ve asked about their societal contributions, I’m told that they’ve given their time at the Humane Society, or Meals on Wheels, etc. Yes, these are very worthwhile charitable organizations that could use the assistance. But what is often lacking is real heavy lifting, like becoming a mentor to local kids, or a becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, or volunteering at the public schools. Real efforts to better society. After all, this is the society that they are applying to join. Shouldn’t they want it to be the best possible? I just wish that government would insist that more substantial and meaningful contributions are made before applying the Approved stamp.
As opposed to having a baby with a Caymanian, in which case you are pretty much guaranteed PR irrespective of your other contributions to society – or the lack of them.
That’s the trick Jamaicans use their stupid teenage baby mamas for.
When our children will never be allowed to be educated in the public school system with Caymanian children? The government continues to impose the segregation even after PR status.
No matter what is or isn’t done, it will never be enough, however, how to expats compare to Caymanians? What % of Caymanians put in their time and efforts volunteering to improve their own community?
Well said truth to be told
At the higher level, your friend who knows a minister, tells the minister, and the minister says , email me his details and I’ll look after it.
Disgusting abuse of power….and PACT was supposed to be better.
….and cue the Caymanians,ready to tear down one of their own..
We are the worst when it comes to supporting our own. We complain day in and day out about expats taking these roles and when one Caymanian get an opportunity, we find everything negative to destroy their credibility and personal life. We are our worst enemy.
Here we have a well educated, more than qualified professional young Caymanian “WOMAN” who is taking on a position that a lot of young aspiring young Caymanian women can see as a role model and leader and instead of lifting her up, most of us try to do everything in our power to discredit her.
Caymanians will always be crabs in a bucket, always crawling on top of each other try to get one over on each other. This is the big reason why we can’t ever get ahead.
It makes me feel so embarrassed as a Caymanian to see so much of this nastiness and disrespect. Why can’t we criticise without all of the personal attacks. This is the whole reason more qualified Caymanians don’t get involved in politics.
And on cue the defense which asks us to blindly question this appointment. Sorry, we’ve walked this trail before. I personally hope for the best, but in this case expect the worst.
8:03 am Brilliant observation and so true.
NO
It just means some of us are not so dumb that we will not see through this very clandestine move
NO way she leaving Dart to take up what could be a 3 year term role – she posturing to run and Mr. Saunders better be careful the first families always stick together!
Wayne will not make it another 3 years.
WP needs all the help he can get.
Totally agree with Anon @ 8:04 am. While I think that Pilar is quite qualified for the job, leaving the prestigious DART Corporation to join the PACK is a bit befuddling but my crystal globe tells me that three and a half years down the road someone will be making room for her.
Nothing prestigious about the Dart Corporation.
The rest of your post is therefore pure junk.
Some of us know her political background…. She was very closely linked to Mac in the past and in many ways
Two bushes does not a forest make! Ooh la la!
In few words, Dart’s strategy is now Panton’s strategy. As for the appointment, never ask for money, ask to be appointed where the money is.
Infiltration.
It’s not the money of the job that makes one rich. It’s the opportunity of making money while in that job!
Hopefully as her first assignment she can sort out the mess at the airport…………
I wonder if this strategy will look a lot like what DART’s strategy looks like. Scary stuff. Now it’s becoming very clear who is running this government.
Gov strategy = DART strategy
DART strategy = Gov strategy
Its the same
Has been running CIG for decades, nothing new.
If anyone has watched the Netflix series ‘Narcos’, besides the insight to a drug cartel, it’s operation, personalities, and in this series case Mexico’s vast corruption back then one learns pretty quickly that on a diluted scale that this is exactly what is going on globally with big corporations, governments etc. The only difference is that remaining within and even broaching outside of the line of ‘the law’ it’s all being done in what’s termed ‘legally’. In a somber way I almost lean towards sympathising with drug traffickers for the face value of being penalised for displaying recognised values just as everyone else is but without getting away with it, if you want to bring up ‘yeah but they murder people’, my answer is ‘yeah, but what about Jamal Khashoggi.
Cayman is unfortunate in that almost everything of the above pretty much goes on here but due to its size is more easily revealed. The sad part is that it is almost more willingly neglected, – looking at all of the optimistic comments in this thread, do I think Pilar Bush will make a significant difference ? – I hope, but no, not really. 🤞
apologies, ‘displaying’ – should be displacing
Being Caymanian in any senior Govt appt. is always the very best and most important qualification, in order to be lauded by the masses.
Window dressing and damage control
I’m sure she will be an asset, especially in the wake of Kayla Young’s story on CPI.
https://periodismoinvestigativo.com/2022/01/cayman-foreign-investors-identity-crisis/
https://caymannewsservice.com/2022/01/saunders-defends-pacts-fiscal-policy
Anonymous says:
27/01/2022 at 1:28 pm
All will soon be revealed as to whose advice they have been taking…Stay tuned.
Dart probably doesn’t care whom they report to or who pays their salary, as long as they work for him.
Experts have warned that Boris Johnson’s administration is more corrupt “than any UK government since the Second World War”.
While the Brits in Cayman tell us how to run a Government.
Pilar I wish you well. Ministers Bernice, Penneth and Blunders really need your guidance.
“Experts”
Good move by Premier Panton. Pilar Bush has lots of relevant experience and will add strength to a Government that needs such talented Caymanians to help run this country. Hope some more get on board.
… except bad move by Pilar.
She will soon realize the only strategy that PACT is capable of is watching the CNN and BBC and wait for instructions and narratives.
Yet another “chief” created, it’s like the Civil Service. Perhaps Mr Panton can enlighten the taxpayer on the latest number of civil servants and Govt empoyees on the payroll, they ween to be increasing every week like Omicron, no wonder we need a bullet loan. If we do obtain the loan, I suppose the first order of business will be another round of salary increases for our M.P’s,Ministers and civil servants.
This is fantastic news. Pilar is the only Dart exec i have ever met with a brain and isn’t ill-intentioned and selfish. Congrats Pilar! Dart lost their only decent executive.
You’re right about the smile, as opposed to the superior smirk from the other “top executive” .
Oh dear, what a shame for it all to change in the grips of government.
THIS! She cares about culture, her people and the betterment the future. She really is a wholesome soul. Loving the smart Caymanian women we have for role models. We have a lot to look forward to with Pilar no matter where she goes! Shame Dart lost their only real one.
Wonder why she would give up the top job at Dart to join the ranks of the PACT? Can’t wait to see how this plays out. Iconic tower soon come.
There was another key executive who mysteriously left last year. Plus alot of managers/senior managers have all departed over past few months – seems like there a culture issue there???
It is completely toxic
^^^^ current and former Dart employees and their families and friends like this comment
Revenue is way down. People leaving before let go.
It’s called a hand mirror, and after a while, those with remaining scruples decide they no longer like what they see. Top managers are conditioned to parrot the rationalisation that what they have been pressed to do is “technically not prohibited by law in the Cayman Islands”. They will sometimes haphazardly blurt this out to external non-employees out of confessional reflex. The truth is, some of their twisted staff and alumni should be exposed and formally ejected from their professional associations, debarred, and de-credentialed for their intentional histories of code and ethics violations. Some shouldn’t be allowed to retain their good name and seek work elsewhere with good references.
You really are out of touch
Top job??
All the best to Pilar Bush. She is a competent and capable individual that will be an asset to the government.
Only time will tell if she’s a plant. Let’s see if her allegiance is to Cayman or her former overlord.
I hope her transfer from the private sector to the public sector goes well. From my experience, it is a tough row to hoe. The covert civil service power ladder and pecking order will probably be upset and form a subterfuge to drive her out, make her impotent or simply drive her crazy. Good luck Pilar. You will need it.
She was Director of Tourism before. So rejoining the CS should be a breeze for this competent lady.
That is the MO of the not so civil service.
Congrats Ms. Pilar Bush. Best of luck on the new role.
This is good news. Perhaps she can bring some much-needed professionalism to the caucus and remind PACT exactly what those letters are suppose to stand for.
Dream on…
She already has alot of experience in government strategy if you know what i mean.
Big mac making sure he has Wayne under control
Now you all know who really made this Bush appointment.
How predictable. BUT, we elected this fool. WE are to blame. Yes, I’ve said it before and I stand by my assertion – Cayman electorate is completely incapable of electing respectable, educated, ethical ministers. Don’t believe me, how is the MacBeater elected, and appallingly in the Speaker’s Chair. Cayman, we are a complete mess.
It might impact Big Mac but not in the way you think. Numbers, it’s a numbers game.
Congratulations Pilar, may you continue to succeed in life.
OMG-another highly paid…that they don’t have enough but says it all in the description – cover and help them all cos they have no idea what is going on or how to fix it. Poor lady thrown under bys already. How much? People have a right to know. What next?
You would be wise to not underestimate Pilar.
She’s an excellent asset to any organization she joins and I hope that she can help this divergent group of individuals work together.
Hope her UDP days are behind her. Maybe she can give back her share of the excessive price we (the country) paid for the little piece of land at the beginning of N W Point Road.
11.46….It’s not “excessive price “ any more , I’m told it’s valued at less than 10% of what was paid for it by the UDP government.
Stinks don’t it ?
Dart has officially infiltrated the government. We are all f* now.
Will she give Jay Ebanks help, as he is in dire need. The chap is out of his league, in more ways than one.
Jay will be quick to remind her who is elected and who the Minister is. He does not respect the Premier so the Premiers minions won’t matter either.
Pilar is not easily frightened, but I think she may pass out during her first caucus with Jay!
From Jon Jon to Jay J….both out of their league!
Great hire she will improve this bunch considerably from behind the scenes. She will give them what they’ve lacked to date a solid plan.
Here come the political favors
Pilar Bush is a great choice for Chief of Staff one of best and brightest ever produced in Cayman. She is brilliant and hardworking good move Premier.
She is well qualified to do the job- question is will they understand the decisions. Me thinks not! Pure frustration for the dear lady.
Congratulations, a position well deserved!! My neighbor as a teenager, you are a valuable asset to these Islands!! Congrats again.
yikes
Congratulations Pilar!!!
How does Chief Officer Ahearn feel about this?
Who cares? After Canovergate at the HSA how does Ahearn still have a job in government?
She is probably saying “better her than me”
Absolute waste of money
Not a civil servant
Not a politician
But expected to get all of these vagabonds to work together
Maybe she is the new •Premier • that would be his job
We would be lucky to have her as premier.
CIG is fully rigged now to sail on whatever heading Dart desires.
You are right not to forget that. From the West Bay road participation leading into the Royal Palms saga.
We blindfolded again.
In the right place for Mr.
Dart. How we allow this. Congrats Mr. Dart.
Congratulations I am sure she will do a great job in representing the Country as well as the people of these islands.
She is well qualify for the position.
Can’t wait to see the changes she will make
Pilar, congratulations. If you really want to help economic, social, etc. then job strategy number one: get rid of exit PCR tests. Job number two: get rid of post arrival LFT tests.
Go away CITA bot
That’s two high level Dart staffers that have joined CIG in so many months. Maybe old man Dart is increasing his CIG influence, now from the inside?!?
Who’s the other one?
Hannah Reid, PR manager who reported to, you guessed it, Pilar Bush. Now both working for Wayne. Also heard the other PR manager in her dept. is gone on “her own”. Figure it out people.
Chris Duggan
or the other way around perhaps?? wouldn’t that be fun.
Oh PACT, you should change your name to UDP and get it over with. Will they be transparent about her compensation? All of it. We all know that Wayne funds Mario and Cmr so would be good to know if government funding is all she’s getting.
DMS broadcasting lost a listener when they took Sandra Hill on board. Pity, I liked Erin and Blake in the morning 106 and Matty on Cayrock. How on earth did she become the voicepiece for PACT? What does she have on Wayne???
Lol. Marl Road gossip channel is the official comms office. Wta
Protect Matty at all costs! Say no to propaganda radio and listen to CayRock!
A national treasure
he needs all the help he can muster up..
Sickening how CMR is in Wayne/Don’s back pocket. I can’t listen to Blake and Erin anymore on a morning for fear and trepidation that I will have to hear Sandra’s voice spew propaganda and fact-less vitriol.
And all the ducks/chickens are lining up right on cue.
Where was the e position advertised?
#transparency
Would not expect such a position to be advertised.
Its quite normal for a political leader to select a right hand person from those he trusts.
It is not a position on the list of Civil Service posts … it was created … possibly at level D on the Salary scale.
It’s not a civil service post. She isn’t a civil servant.
@6:36PM. Did Alden advertise when he hired Roy Tatum? As much I dislike Alden, he had a right to choose a person that he could trust to be his advisor and so does Wayne.
Soooo, just spitballing, Miss Pilar Bush was Director of the Department of Tourism at the time when McKeeva Bush was Premiere, overseeing the devastation of Hurricane Ivan.
Mr. Dart was already well on our shores by then, and buying up properties. Through the then Premier Bush, he was able to gain concessions to build and build he did.
Somewhere around then, Miss Pilar went to work for Mr. Dart. It sounds like Kismet, and now here she is again and we are supposed to believe that she, apparently disenfranchised with working for the money machine that is Kenneth Dart, now wants to devote her attentions to more humanitarian causes of governmental strategy. Mr. Wayne, wanting a seasoned warrior, was able to lure here away from the allure of beaucoup CI bucks, and we will all benefit from this union.
*Fairytales will come true, it can happen to youuuu… if … you’re young at heart…..*
We are so screwed.
Only thing missing is correct information to help your suspicious rant and the actual facts.
Caymanian politicians in UDP, PPM and PACT will continue to sell out to dart which is a major problem. There is always a paper trail of how they are bought and rewarded. Why aren’t the RCIPS Financial Crimes Unit, Anti-Corruption Commission and Auditor General’s Office conducting robust investigations into the many overt examples and questionable decisions and contracts signed over the years?
The solution for voters is STOP electing corrupt politicians and make sure they civil servants and public officers are charged if there is evidence of abuse of office.
If Caymanians do not want dart to own land and businesses then do not sell to him and other developers.
…do not sell to him and other developers.
Exactly, The Cayman citizens have this on their shoulders – DON’T blame anyone other than yourselves. YOU sold out! Now you can watch, as you have lost your country.
She was director of tourism for all of 6 months – right after Ivan – under Bush. For the rest of her term, it was Kurt and Chuckles. Dart started buying property in Truman Bodden’s days and Pilar didn’t start working for Dart until around 2013, which was well after Dart bought the Stan Thomas lands and other properties beyond Camana Bay. But don’t let facts get in the way of your conspiracy theories.
Congratulations Pilar. I knew her at Cayman Airways. This lady is incredibly intelligent.
Good choice. Well done Pilar.
1. What a fluff job description
2. Johann you dun made it
3. She still fah Dart *side eye*
Finally some brains in Pact. Hopefully not unna late to the show. Thank you Pilar. Praying and hoping you can help this little rock. We need more of you.
Great tactics from Dart
Maybe Dart influence is a good thing? His projects and contributions here actually do good things for the country. Nice parks, roads, and employment opportunities.
Funny. Not even the Bush/Dart influence can raise the Titanic.
Absolutely fantastic and forward thinking appointment! Ms Bush is honest, straightforward, hard working and she gets things done! Brilliant for Cayman!