Were there any surprises, well yes, and a very pleasant one at that, the lone female CEOceo on the list outperfromed her peers with a whopping 80.6% growth in after tax profits for 2008 over 2007, but more about her later. In looking back at the performace of the top ceo, Francis L.A. “Tony” Haynes did not make the list in 2005 and 2006, but entered the 2007 ranking at number one, he failed to make the 2008 list. William McConnell ranked number one for 2006; however he did not make the list for, 2008, 2007 and 2005.

The Businessuite magazine has again poured over the 2008 annual reports of Jamaica’s publicly listed companies to find the CEO’s who are generating the most after tax profits for their shareholders and building shareholder values year over year. As was done for 2005, 06, and 07 the qualifying mark or yardstick was JA$300M or more in after tax profits. Based on this criterion a total of 21 CEO’s qualified as outlined below. Scotia and NCB Capital markets preference shares were not factored and Stephen Facey was accounted for once. Stephen has the unique distinction of been the CEO for both Pan Jamaica Investment Trust and First Jamaica Investments.

As for the top 10 ceo’s and companies who made the coverted list for 2008 here we go.

Were there any surprises, well yes, and a very pleasant one at that, the lone female CEOon the list outperfromed her peers with a whopping 80.6% growth in after tax profits for 2008 over 2007, but more about her later.

In looking back at the performace of the top ceo, Francis L.A. “Tony” Haynes did not make the list in 2005 and 2006, but entered the 2007 ranking at number one, he failed to make the 2008 list. William McConnell ranked number one for 2006; however he did not make the list for, 2008, 2007 and 2005.

Last year we indicated that Kingsley Cooper of PULSE was the CEO to watch. He did not make the 2007 top CEO rankings; neither did he make the 2006 and 2005 listings, but we felt that if he continued along his current financial path, chances are he may just make his entry onto the 2008 List. With a 126.4% growth in after tax profits for 2007 compared to 2006, Cooper missed inclusion on the 2007 list by fewer than 50 million dollars, earning just JA$266,143,000 falling below the qualifying mark of JA$300M. Well he did much better than make the list he outperformed his peers holding the #2 position for 2008 knocking last years #2 Brian George of Superme Ventures into the number 3 spot.

Carreras’ Michael Bernard at #4 for 2008 last made the list in 2006 having failed to rank in 2005. Although his appointment as group CEO is relatively recent, one should not discredit his impact on the group over the years. As general manager for the Cigarette Company of Jamaica, he was responsible for the Group’s “cash cow”. He has led this entity through a number of restructuring exercises over the years in an attempt to protect margins and facilitate cash flow growth in a stagnant tobacco market.

Another new comer to the list is the new Jamaica Broilers Group Chairman Robert Levy  taking the number 5 position. An excellent communicator, is able to speak as effectively with farmers, who are pivotal to the success of his business, as he can with leaders in both the private and public sectors. This ability comes from an innate love of people – a love that is rooted in his strong belief in God. Known for his philanthropy, Robert Levy believes his organization is blessed and this serves as the driving force behind his desire to give back to society.

Robert Levy has transformed the company from a small family business to a processing plant of first world standard, producing chicken, beef and fish products for Jamaica and the Caribbean. With locations in St. Catherine, St. Ann and St. Elizabeth, the sky continues to be the limit for the company and its ‘Best Dressed’ products.

Christopher Levy has now taken over as president and chief executive officer of the expanded poultry group, which now has energy thrown in, but is planning to maintain the course his father has set for the company that was founded back in 1958.

Christopher has been learning the business literally from the ground up since he was a teenager, and now it is his turn to run the five-decade-old Jamaica Broilers Group, over which his father Robert Levy has majority control and has imprinted his personality as a strong and steady operation, but flexible enough to adjust to changing circumstances. Will Christopher stay on the list?. Only his report card for 2009 will tell.

Number 6 and 7 on the list for 2008 are what we call regulars. As we have often said, making “The List” is an important achievement; however staying on “The List” is the true test of performance and a demonstrable ability to deliver in today’s volatile marketplace. For 2006, three CEOs demonstrated this capacity, Patrick Hylton at NCB, Richard Byles at Life of Jamaica, now Sagicor; and Peter Bunting of the former BDG.

For the 2007 list, only two top performing CEO’s retained their positions, Richard Byles was two in 2005, ninth in 2006 and tenth in 2007. Patrick Hylton was tenth in 2005, fourth in 2006 and ninth in 2007. For 2008 Byles and Hylton again demonstarted their true ablilty to deliver landing 6 and 7 respectivly.

Number 8 on the 2008 list is Scotia Bank Group, the results for which falls under the leadership of fomer CEO William “Bill” Clarke, who retired from the bank in late 2008. Current CEO Bruce Bowen will have his opportinuty to show his mentle when his full year results are looked at in the 2009 list.

Falling from #5 in 2007 to #9 in 2008 is Gary Peart from Mayberry Investments Limited who joined the company in May 2005. Gary has been building his resume and developing his management techniques throughout the financial industry over the course of 15 years. During this time he gained experience in almost every business line, including corporate finance, equity, fixed income and treasury management, all of which prepared him for his current role as the leader of one of Jamaica’s most well-known financial entities.

Number 10 on the list is no stranger, its Stephen Facey of First Jamaica Investment, falling from #8 in 2007. Stephen who has the unique distinction of been the CEO for both Pan Jamaica Investment Trust, and First Jamaica Investments dropped off the list in 2006; while ranked fourth and third respectively in 2005. BM