Gregory Chung: Staying true to his roots

Being in touch with one’s roots is extremely important. Growing up in Ocho Rios, St Ann, Gregory Chung had fond memories of his childhood. He lived near the sea in Mammee Bay and vividly remembers watching the fishing boats and striking up conversations with the fishermen about their catch.

“The people in the community were quite happy. Their humility and fortitude were incomparable, even when they did the smallest of tasks. They were always committed to their families and the community,” Chung said.

At age 10, Chung migrated to the United States, but kept his roots firmly planted in Jamaica. His parents owned and operated a gas station in the community and Chung would visit during his breaks, while attending high school and college.

“I spent most of my holidays at the gas station. At first I didn’t like it, but after I began developing relationships with the customers and the people in the community, I became more comfortable,” Chung said.

In 1995, he too joined the family business and credits his parents, Patrick and Mayling Chung, for the values they taught him, that have helped to make him into the man he is today. “They taught me about business, the value of hard work and saving your money. I am now able to live up to my commitments, no matter the situation that I am faced with,” Chung said.

“Looking back, they made many sacrifices in how they lived. They didn’t spend lavishly. I didn’t even know about shopping centres until I lived in Miami,” he said.

BUSINESS GOAL

While overseas, Chung said he knew he wanted to enter into business, but not necessarily the gasolene trade. He said that as he got the older, he decided to join the family business. There are now two family-owned gas stations under the Texaco brand, and Chung is now president of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA).

Chung joined the JGRA management committee about nine years ago and has held several key positions, including chair of the Northern Chapter and third vice-president and road safety chairman. Before ascending to the helm of 70-year-old organisation, Chung also served as second and first vice-president.

“It is an honour to serve the over 150 members of the organisation. It is important that we ensure that the objectives of the JGRA are met, and the members feel vested in the importance of the organisation as the advocacy group for gasolene retailers,” Chung said.

“The relationships that I formed during childhood and while growing up, we have still maintained our connection from those days until now. This has also helped in my business development and in the community,” he added.

FAMILY ORIENTED

Despite the demanding commitments of his job, Chung strongly believes in family. “My family keeps me going. My wife and my children mean everything to me, and I try to spend as much time with them as possible. For me, it’s not really a sacrifice, but allowing myself to enjoy my family. We do various activities as a group to ensure that they will remember the times we had,” Chung said.

“One of my first memories is of my father taking me to the Old Fort Beach, that feeling of being in the water and how cool it was to experience that. It makes me want to bring my children to the same exact spot that made me feel special,” Chung added.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com