10 things you didn't know about Mark Linehan

Digicel Jamaica has had a
track record of having as its head leaders who have proven themselves to
be exemplars of diplomacy and true corporate leaders since the telecoms
giant's initial set-up here in Jamaica with Seamus Lynch as head, his
successor David Hall, and Hall's successor Mark Linehan.

Linehan
arrived in Jamaica nearly four years ago, and since his arrival, he has
been instrumental in introducing a number of new, cutting-edge products.
He was also instrumental in the integration of Claro into the Digicel
network, making it the country's largest cellular network provider to
the point of nearly eclipsing the competition.

An Irish national
with a St Vincentian wife, the affable workaholic was recently promoted
to the rank of regional CEO of the Eastern Caribbean. He will now be
based in St Lucia, a posting which will take him away from Jamaica, but
closer to his wife's home country in a few weeks.

He is currently
in winding-up mode as he readies his family for the move. We share 10
things we did not know about the enterprising Mark Linehan.

1. In Ireland, it is quite common for parents who have a child born on St Patrick's Day to call the child Patrick (if it's a boy), or Patricia (if it's a girl). The question is, since Mark was born on St Patrick's Day, why wasn't he called Patrick? Well, the answer is quite straightforward. Mark has a twin brother - and since his twin arrived into the world first, he was given the name Patrick.

2. A sporting enthusiast who enioys watching cricket (his father taught him the rules at a very young age) and soccer (he's a massive Manchester United fan!). He has also been a regular at 'The Office' in support of the Reggae Boyz.

3.Linehan started his professional life as a teacher and spent the earlier part of his career in the classroom teaching - he is a qualified secondary school maths and business teacher.

4. Back in 2010, Mark added another game to Usain Bolt's portfolio when he taught him to play hurling - a very popular traditional Irish sport using a stick (hurley) and a ball (sliothar). According to Mark, "Usain is a natural. He picked it up very quickly. A true athlete who has unbelievable eye-to-hand coordination."

5. Got married during his tenure in Jamaica to his beautiful Caribbean wife, Leisha, who hails from St Vincent.

6. After returning home from a monthly board meeting last year, he was greeted by two new additions in his home. Mark's wife, Leisha, had surprised him with two shih-poos - both of whom will make the move to St Lucia on their Jamaican passports.

7. He loves soca, but has developed a very good appetite for dancehall. A must-have for Mark every morning before he starts working is a plate of fresh Jamaican fruits.

8. Mark admits that his focus has, and always will be on the customer.

9. Digicel is known for its parties and the very jovial and personable CEO was always front and centre - even while managing a hectic day-to-day schedule. He also credits a very sharp sense of humour for his easy manner: "With such a busy schedule, my sense of humour and ability to take myself lightly help to get me through the day."

10. When he leaves for St Lucia, he'll be going back to his old stamping ground. While he has been in Jamaica for the past four years, his career with Digicel was started almost 11 years ago in the Eastern Caribbean.