Mrs. Merlene Bailey-Martinez became a household name across the country during her tenure as commissioner and then later co-chair of the Commission of Inquiry into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Tomorrow, April 15, she takes on another big mission as the new chief executive officer of the Social Security Board (SSB).
Like the DFC, the SSB came under the scrutiny of the public lens in the wake of resounding outcry over the management of public funds, and allegations that the SSB’s money was being used as a “slush fund” for influential and wealthy government insiders on the backs of the poor and working class. The new government is tasked with cleaning up that battered public image.
Even though it has been rumored for several weeks that Mrs. Bailey-Martinez was the new political administration’s chosen person to do the job, the new board, headed by Lois Young, SC, was mindful that it had to advertise the post and follow proper protocol in selecting the new CEO.
Former CEO Dr. Louis Zabaneh vacated the post, and Mrs. Bailey-Martinez and three other candidates who responded to the vacancy ad, were interviewed on March 26, 2008.
Mrs. Bailey-Martinez comes highly qualified, and apart from her notable performance as commissioner and co-chair of the DFC Commission of Inquiry, her professional credentials also include a Master’s in business administration (public service international) degree from the University of Birmingham (UK) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University College of Belize.
She is a sterling example of a hardworking Belizean who has accomplished a lot from humble beginnings, having worked over the past three decades to pull herself up through the ranks, starting out first as a second class clerk in the Ministry of Works and Energy in 1974.
She has also held the posts of Assistant Accountant General (December 2000-May 2004), Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (1998-2000), and Director of Immigration (1995-1998).
From 1993 to 1998, she was the representative for the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on the SSB, a member of the SSB’s investment committee, and the SSB’s rep on the board of Belize Food Products.
Prior to her new SSB appointment, Mrs. Bailey-Martinez was occupied full-time, when not engaged by her work with the DFC Commissioner, in running her clothing store, Plus Perfect, on Central American Boulevard.
“The board looks forward to a period of stability in its administration and renewed public confidence under the capable leadership of Mrs. Martinez,” says an SSB release issued to our newspaper today.
Mrs. Bailey-Martinez told us that she is excited about her new job.
SSB CEO’s are contracted on 5-year terms.