John Gourzong, chairman of Montego Bay Freeport Limited

John Gourzong, chairman of Montego Bay Freeport Limited, enters The List for the very first time at  No. 6 on the strength of a 27.25 percent increase in profits between 2008 and 2009. Proits grew $361,798 million in 2009 compared to $284,327 million.  The company boasted net assets of $531,495 million.

Most of the company’s revenues are derived from the sale of properties and profits in addition to revaluation on property. Along with its subsidiaries, the company is engaged

in property ownership and rental. The Government of Jamaica, through the Urban Development Corporation, owns approximately 82 percent of the issued share capital of the company. Talks of possible liquidation or outright sale of its equity interest to private

sector interest continue to swirl around the company. Should that sale materialize it will no doubt affect Gourzong’s ability to remain on The List in the years to come.

A veteran of the tourism and entertainment industries, Gourzong was appointed a director and chairman of Montego Freeport Limited, effective April 28, 2008. Gourzong started his first job after high school at the airport with AJAS Jamaica Limited.

While still a young man, he migrated to Canada to study business administration but  returned home soon afterward and got married.

During his long and varied career in Jamaica, he has sold insurance and worked at the Workers Bank. Gourzong is managing director of River Raft Limited tourism attraction company that operates rafts on the Martha Brae River. . He serves as a president of the Association of Jamaica Attractions Limited. He is also founding executive director of Summerfest Productions Limited, an entity that hosts music festivals in Montego Bay.