When the late Owen George Thompson joined the former Jamaica Mutual Life Assurance Society in 1970, his mission was to make a significant mark in the Life Insurance Industry and that he did. He quickly “found his feet” and became a top producer very early in his career, qualifying as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) in successive years and by 1977 was heralded as a Life Member of MDRT. Owen’s production and leadership skills quickly propelled him from being Agent to Unit Manager and later Branch Manager at Barry Street.
Early in his career Owen became a very active member of the Life Underwriters Association of Jamaica (LUAJ), now Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (JAIFA). His interest in education and his early training was quickly put to work within the industry and by 1976 he was appointed Chairman of the Education Council. Owen recognized that education would advance the professionalism within the industry, when he posited that “it seems that a great many consumer problems faced by the Life Insurance Industry would be resolved if more agents were CLU’s”.
By 1977 Owen Thompson was elected to the Board of Directors of LUAJ. It was in that year also, that through his instrumentality a new chapter in the history of regional cooperation was written, when Caribbean Association of Life Underwriters (CALU), now Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA) was established. At the inaugural meeting of the Association at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, his passion for education earned Owen Thompson the elected position as Chairman of the Educational Council on a Board of Directors headed by President Lincoln Morrison. Through this position he was instrumental in revolutionizing many aspects of the training programmes for the industry throughout the Caribbean region.
Owen was elected President of JAIFA in 1981 and during his tenure the Association successfully celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary in early 1982. The renovation of JAIFA’s Headquarters, at 72 Hope Road, Kingston was another priority for his administration.
His interest in the advancement of the Life insurance industry caused Owen to be elected President of CARAIFA. 1979-1982. That year he demonstrated his interest in Caribbean unity when he hailed “the convergence of our brothers and sisters from neighbouring and distantCaribbean Territories on Jamaica” at LUAJ’s Sales Congress. He was to serve another term as President of CARAIFA 1984 – 1985.
Owen Thompson was not insular. He had a strong commitment to public and social service through the North St. Catherine Jaycees and the Lions Club. The pride of his private world was his wife, Jean, his three children and extended family members. He also formed and maintained lifelong friendships within and outside of the industry.
Owen was a man who reached for the stars in everything he did. He served the Life Insurance industry through JAIFA and CARAIFA with sincerity and definiteness of purpose. As a result of his impact on the industry and his outstanding performance as a Life Insurance Professional CARAIFA is pleased to admit the late Owen George Thompson CLU to the CARAIFA Hall of Fame.
