BROWARD COUNTY – Her Excellency Audrey P. Marks has lived a lifetime of “firsts.” She is the first female Jamaican Ambassador to the United States, appointed to the office in July 2010. She is the founder of Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited, the first multitransaction agency in the Caribbean. She is the first female president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica.
In April, Ambassador Marks will make her first official visit to Florida. To mark the occasion, the Broward County Commission will welcome the ambassador on Tuesday, April 12, at 10 a.m. in the Commission Chambers, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 422, in Fort Lauderdale. Mayor Sue Gunzburger will present a key to the County and Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness will read and present a proclamation.
Ambassador Audrey P. Marks
“It is an honor to welcome Ambassador Marks to Broward County. She is a successful businesswoman who understands the importance of fostering good business relationships and global connections,” said Mayor Gunzburger.
“We are fortunate that her Excellency has accepted our invitation to come to Broward County. Her visit gives us the opportunity to develop and expand business prospects that will bring jobs and opportunities to the people of Broward and Jamaica.”
Based on 2009 trade figures, Jamaica ranked 29th among the top 100 trade partners with South Florida with $660,838,781 in total trade.
Ambassador Marks has started and operated six previous businesses, ranging from a 100-acre banana exporting farm, transportation company, to a real estate sales and development company. She has also operated a venture capital company with diverse investments, including manufacturing, travel and entertainment companies.
Ambassador Marks holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, and Nova Southeastern University, respectively.
