10 things you didn't know about Joe A. Matalon

1. He has one of the most comprehensive collections of Jamaican art, which naturally includes works of Jamaican masters such as Barrington, Huie, Carl Abrahams, Capo and Parboosingh, and lists Roy Reid among his favourite works.

2.Is an avid orchidist who, in earlier years, used to show at the Kingston and St Andrew Orchid Show. One of his orchids was awarded the prize of Best in Show. Today, he is still the proud owner of many blue ribbons as a reward for his hobby, but he no longer participates in shows.

3. He enjoys gardening and collects and grows several varieties of tropical plants, including heliconia, some quite rare and unusual. His garden also boasts several Bombay mango trees which are enjoyed by all, especially at this time of year.

4.He enjoys eating. "My favourite is a good home-cooked Jamaican dinner. The local dishes and soups are by far my favourite, though I do enjoy Chinese cuisine. I dislike every form of exercise and my motto is 'every time I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes.' " he said.

5. He and his cousin, Joseph M. Matalon, were the very first recipients of the Observer's first Business Leader Award in 1996. Other awards include the Jamaican Institute of Management's Entrepreneurial Award in 1997, and the Jamaica College Carlton Alexander Award for 2004.

6. Was an active partygoer and enjoyed clubbing. Was a regular at nightspots such as Epiphany, Toppsi and Illusions. Now enjoys lyming at home and usually on a Saturday afternoon friends come by and have 'lunch', which usually ends at 8 or 9 at night.

7. He currently chairs Jamaica Railway Corporation, Caymanas Track Ltd and Norman Manley International Airport Ltd. "I am deputy chair of the CHASE Fund, a commissioner of the Casino Gaming Commission and a director of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, the National Gallery and the King's House Foundation," he said.

8. He is an excellent cook. Does not actually take over the kitchen, but creates the recipes and then delegates their execution!

9. He is a cancer survivor, having had a kidney removed three years ago. He is now in good health.

10. Has been happily married for the last seven years to his beautiful wife Bernadette and has a daughter Amanda from a former marriage and a stepdaughter Chantal. They share a home with three gorgeous Labradors. "Burni and I enjoy travel and have been taking annual holidays since my retirement. Notably, we have recently been to Paris, New York, the Mediterranean, and, on one trip, drove from Miami to Washington, DC and back, stopping at some of the most beautiful cities on the east coast of the USA," he explained.

Joe Matalon, or Big Joe, as he is known by friends and relatives (to distinguish between himself and his cousin of the same name), is from a family which has distinguished themselves in the private sector and as public servants.

He has served with distinction in the family business for years, and has an enviable track record of distinguished voluntary service to the public sector for years.

His record in the private sector includes 32 years of service at West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) and ICD Group. During his tenure at WIHCON, 30,000 homes were constructed in Jamaica. His leadership in the Greater Portmore project saw the construction of 12,000 homes, the largest housing development in Central America and the Caribbean, a record which still obtains following on his retirement in 2000.

Known and celebrated nationally as a hard-nosed businessman, this bon vivant is considered a gentle giant who is always looking for ways in which to give back to his country. So whenever he's asked to serve, he does so readily. But he alway makes time to socialise and is easily one of Kingston's most invited personalities.

With his family name synonymous with housing construction, Big Joe now uses his retirement to lend his support to the creative industries, is a celebrated patron of the arts, and spearheads many social-intervention programmes, with the intention of righting many societal ills.

Today, Outlook shares 10 things you did not know about Big Joe Matalon.

- CFJ