fp Turks and Caicos

Kesha and Damion Mair are more than work colleagues, they are partners in life.

Both Kesha and Damion are model employees with Grace Bay Resorts. Keeping the properties running smoothly, Damion is the assistant chief engineer at the Grace Bay Club where he has worked since 2006. Kesha was just promoted to personal concierge supervisor at the Veranda Resort, ensuring guests’ stays go as smoothly as possible.

She is all about the guests, he is all about the hotel. While they work in two different areas of the business and at two different locations, they share one intensive passion for the industry and the company they both work for.

“I love my job because I love the Grace Bay Club,” Damion says of “his hotel.”

After graduating with a degree in engineering from the Technical University of Jamaica, Damion wanted to work at the best resort. As his love, Kesha left their home in Jamaica to work at Beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands. While she worked for a year at Beaches, he was impressing management at the Grace Bay Club with his skills and dedication to his work.

But Kesha aspired to grow and left the island for a management training program at the elite Fairmount Hotel in California. After her one-half year program was over, she returned to the TCI where Damion was working and awaiting her return.

Although it was not the advancement she was hoping for, she was fortunate in 2009 to find a position at the Veranda Resort. “I had to start over at the bottom, but I was happy to have a job,” she explained.

The pair married and have since encouraged each other and helped one and another grow within their industry. “We work a lot of long hours, but because we come from the same company, we understand what the job requires of both of us,” Damion says with a smile.

“We strengthen each other, “ Kesha adds.

The two also are known to be tough on one another. “As somebody in management, I tell her ‘you can’t do that,’” Damion says when Kesha looks to be late for the office.

With each other to lean on, the couple has been able to advance and succeed in the recent tough economic times. But they give most of the credit to the managers and owners of the company they are grateful to work for.

“Like any company, we have our challenges, but it is a resort that cares,” Damion says of GBR. “From the developer to the CEO, they are always there, everybody knows your name, and they know something about you,” adds Kesha.

It is the concern the company has shown for its employees that has also inspired the two to give back to the community. Both Damion and Kesha volunteer their time to participate in the Grace Bay Resorts Foundation. The Foundation has adopted several government schools and provided them with much needed materials and support.

“We care not only about the property, but the people who live here,” Kesha says.

Management at the resort has also recognized the hard work the two have shown. Kesha is the only employee to have been named “Employee of the Month” twice in one year. When a suitable engineering manager could not be found, Assistant Manager Damion stepped up to take on extra responsibility and ensured all ran smoothly, according to resort management.

But there is no stopping this power couple. Kesha is planning to begin a master’s degree in business administration with a focus in hotel management in the fall. Damion says while he is very good technically, he is honing his management skills, aspiring to be chief engineer one day.