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It’s Father’s Day and many of Jamaica’s business heads will be taking time out with their families and appreciating those who are precious to them.

Our Today posed a number of questions to them on what it means to be a father.

Don Wehby- Group CEO of GraceKennedy

Our Today (OT): What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Don Wehby (DW): Be humble, trust your instincts, work hard.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

DW: A lovely lunch with all my children.

OT: -What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

DW: Setting a great example to your children.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

DW: My Dad, Don Wehby Sr.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

DW: Remain close to your children. Tell them you love them. Give them a good education.

Christopher Williams – CEO of Proven Investments Limited

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/ children?

Chris Williams (CW): You have to respect everybody.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

CW: Traditionally, the boys work out with me on Father’s Day. I may get a Manchester United jersey but lately its value is expected to be going down due to the team’s performances on the pitch. Still, they have a new manager, so we will see.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

CW: Presence as opposed to presents. That distinction should be made clear. You have to be there for your children. That’s what my sons crave.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

CW: Gregory Maine. I have seen the close relationship he has with his daughter and the effort he puts in.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

CW: Children today face so many challenges that we did not have to confront, like cyber bullying. It is very important that, as a father, you bolster their confidence. A father must always be a therapist and also be their greatest cheerleader.

Christopher Zacca-President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?
 
Chris Zacca (CZ): The importance of family.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

CZ: My kids are thinking about me.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

CZ: Ensuring that your kids are better than you and I don’t mean just financially.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

CZ: My brother Edward Zacca Jr.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

CZ: Instill in your children a sense of morality and integrity.

Kadeen Mairs – Founder and CEO Dequity Capital and Dolla Financial

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Kadeen Mairs (KM): Humility.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

KM: Spending time with my kids.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?
  
KM: Passing on the lessons I have learnt from my experiences.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

KM: Ryan Reid of First Rock.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

KM: Encourage your children to dream big and think outside the box. Stress the importance of focusing on ideas that will impact and change the world for the better.

Michéal McGrane – Head of Sales and Marketing, Toyota Jamaica

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Michéal McGrane (MM): Breathing exercises!

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

MM: A new road bike.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

MM: Pulling your weight with the kids. You have to be present in their lives-always.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

MM: A.P. Matalon and Gerard Fontaine of Fraser, Fontaine & Kong.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

MM: Spend as much time as possible with your kids.

Zachary Harding- Founder and Executive Chairman of Delta Capital

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Zachary Harding (ZH): To think for themselves.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

ZH: To be able to spend time with my kids doing something that makes them happy.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

ZH: Being their for your kids regardless of the situation. No matter what, be there for them. They must know that they can depend on you.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

ZH: My brother Jeremy Harding, Sydney Thwaites and Justin Morin.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

ZH: Know what your responsibilities are and take care of them.

Richard Byles- Governor of the Bank of Jamaica

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Richard Byles (RB): To love their mother and conduct themselves like men.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

RB: To be with my children and wife. Today we are all going out to have Dim Sum for lunch.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

RB: Being a good role model.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

RB: Danny Williams.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

RB: Step up to your responsibilities. Your children are your most important legacy.

Hugh Graham – Managing Director of Paramount Trading Jamaica and MP for St Catherine, North Western

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Hugh Graham (HG): To become a mature individual.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

HG: To put me on a motor racing track.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

HG: To be there for your children. Be present in their lives.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

HG: Dean Nevers of Konnexx.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

HG: Look after your children. Show them love.

Stephen Price- Country Manager ( Jamaica), Flow

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Stephen Price (SP): Hard work is the key to success. You have to focus on what you want to achieve.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

SP: Peace and quiet.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

SP: Recognising the awesome responsibility you have taking a child from a baby to adulthood and beyond. It doesn’t stop.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

SP: Brett Wong.

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

SP: Be involved. Change the paradigm. Parenting by partnership. Accept your responsibilities.

Dennis Chung – CEO of Supreme Ventures Services Limited

OT: What do you think is the most important lesson you have taught your child/children?

Dennis Chung (DC): Integrity.

OT: What is your ideal Father’s Day gift?

DC: To spend time with them.

OT: What do you think is the most important part of fatherhood?

DC: Seeing to it that they become independent.

OT: Shout out another Dad who is doing it right.

DC: Al Edwards!

OT: What is your biggest piece of advice for Jamaican Dads?

DC: Talk with your children, invest in them. Teach them.