2024 Pioneer Award Recipient

Dr. Barry A. Wade, O.D., B.Sc., Ph.D. (in Marine Biology), M.J.I.M.

Dr. Barry Wade was an environmental scientist experienced in teaching, research, consulting and management. Educated in Jamaica and the USA, he held senior technical and management appointments in the environmental, energy and financial sectors.

Dr. Wade was Chairman and Consulting Principal of Environmental Solutions Ltd. and a Director of ESL Management Solutions Ltd. He was Principal Consultant on several infrastructural development projects throughout the Caribbean including airport planning, expansion and rehabilitation, hydro-power developments, water, waste-water and solid waste management projects, new and upgraded highways, and port expansions.

Dr. Wade worked in the petroleum and energy sectors for eight years, first as Director of Environment and Special Projects of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica and later as its General Manager. During this time he studied Petroleum Industry Management at the prestigious ADL Management Education Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts and directed a number of industry evaluations, assessments and audits in Jamaica and Belize.

He produced several major works including his landmark study on the pollution ecology of Kingston Harbour and has conducted more than fifty environmental impact assessments and audits in Jamaica, the Caribbean and Central America.

Dr. Barry Wade received several national and international honours and awards for his contribution to environmental management in Jamaica. These include the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals, the Silver Musgrave Medal of the Institute of Jamaica, and the National Honour of Officer of the Order of Distinction. Dr. Wade holds membership in the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals and the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (Civil and Sanitary Engineering Division).

Born: Belize City, Belize, June 6, 1940, son of Karl Wade and Vida Hollar-Wade (both deceased).

Died: Kingston, Jamaica, August 1, 2015

Educated: Wolmer’s Boys’ School 1951-58 (Head Boy), University of the West Indies 1959-65, University of Florida, Arthur D. Little Management Education Institute.

Career: Research Fellow, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts U.S.A. 1965-67,

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, University of the West Indies 1967-82

Director, Environment and Special Projects, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica 1982-86

General Manager, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica 1986-90

Senior Vice President, Eagle Financial Network 1990-92

Vice President, Island Life Insurance Co. 1992-94.

Chairman and Consulting Principal of Environmental Solutions Ltd. and a Director of ESL Management Solutions Ltd. 1991-2015

Publications: The Pollution Ecology of Kingston Harbour in 3 volumes, plus more than 30 research papers and articles.

Awards: Institute of Jamaica Centenary Medal, for contribution to Cultural Development in National Sciences

Silver Musgrave Medal for outstanding achievement in Marine Biology

Jamaican Society of Scientists & Technologists Award for Outstanding Achievement in the area of Conservation and Protection of the Natural Environment (1983)

Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica, Certificate of Merit for Meritorious Service in Science Education (1983)

Outstanding Lion Award - Chancellor Hall, University of the West Indies.

Organizations: Chairman, Students Christian Fellowship & Scripture Union

Board Member, Jamaica Institute of Excellence in Education

Board Member, Williamson Group Ltd.

Member, Jamaican Institute of Management

Member, Jamaica Society of Scientists & Technologists

Member, Jamaica Institute of Engineers

Member, Jamaica Institute of Quality

Denomination: Baptist

Married: Merle Walsh, July 17, 1965

Children: 1 son, 1 daughter

Interests: Beekeeping, Natural History, Lay Preacher, Public Speaking, Sports.

Club: Wolmer’s Old Boys’ Association.