Bernard Fils-Aimé: Difference between revisions
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'''Bernard Fils-Aimé''' (24 May 1953 – 8 August 2020) was a [[Haiti]]an entrepreneur and activist. He was part of community assistance organizations for Haitians in America, cofounding the Haitian Refugee Center and serving |
'''Bernard Fils-Aimé''' (24 May 1953 – 8 August 2020) was a [[Haiti]]an entrepreneur and activist. He was part of community assistance organizations for Haitians in America, cofounding the Haitian Refugee Center and serving on the board of the Haitian Education & Leadership Program. He also served as the managing director of [[Comcel Haiti]] from its founding in 1998 until its sale to [[Digicel]] in 2012. |
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==Early career== |
==Early career and activism== |
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Bernard was the youngest of four children. His father Camile died soon after Bernard was born.<ref name="nyt">{{cite web|last1=Leland|first1=John|date=28 August 2020|title=Bernard Fils-Aimé, Haitian Activist and Cellphone Mogul, Dies at 67|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/obituaries/bernard-fils-aime-dead-coronavirus.html|website=The New York Times}}</ref> His mother, Uranie Gabriel Fils-Aime, was the ''directrice'' of the [[Republic of Guatemala]] Primary School in [[Petionville]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bros |first1=Emmanuel |title=ARRETE |url=http://lcweb5.loc.gov/glin/jurisdictions/Haiti/pdfs/6161-33263.pdf |work=[[Le Moniteur (Haiti)|Le Moniteur]] |issue=29 |publisher=Presses Nationales d'Haiti |date=27 April 1978 |location=Port-au-Prince, Haiti |language=fr}}</ref> She opposed |
Bernard was the youngest of four children. His father Camile died soon after Bernard was born.<ref name="nyt">{{cite web|last1=Leland|first1=John|date=28 August 2020|title=Bernard Fils-Aimé, Haitian Activist and Cellphone Mogul, Dies at 67|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/obituaries/bernard-fils-aime-dead-coronavirus.html|website=The New York Times}}</ref> His mother, Uranie Gabriel Fils-Aime, was the ''directrice'' of the [[Republic of Guatemala]] Primary School in [[Petionville]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bros |first1=Emmanuel |title=ARRETE |url=http://lcweb5.loc.gov/glin/jurisdictions/Haiti/pdfs/6161-33263.pdf |work=[[Le Moniteur (Haiti)|Le Moniteur]] |issue=29 |publisher=Presses Nationales d'Haiti |date=27 April 1978 |location=Port-au-Prince, Haiti |language=fr}}</ref> She opposed [[François Duvalier]], and was briefly arrested for criticizing his policies.<ref name="nyt" /> |
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Bernard and his family left Haiti for [[New York City]] in 1966. He graduated from [[John Jay Educational Campus (Brooklyn)|John Jay High School]] in 1971,<ref>{{cite book |title=Prospect 1971 |date=1971 |publisher=John Jay High School |location=Brooklyn, NY |url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/brooklyncollection/finding-aid/brooklyn-yearbook}}</ref> then studied at [[Columbia University]] for two years. He became involved in student activism, and remained active after he left the university. At a Haiti-related event, Bernard met Marise Piverger; they married in 1980 despite her parents' disapproval, and moved to [[Miami]].<ref name="nyt" /> |
Bernard and his family left Haiti for [[New York City]] in 1966.<ref name="nyt" /> He graduated from [[John Jay Educational Campus (Brooklyn)|John Jay High School]] in 1971,<ref>{{cite book |title=Prospect 1971 |date=1971 |publisher=John Jay High School |location=Brooklyn, NY |url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/brooklyncollection/finding-aid/brooklyn-yearbook}}</ref> then studied at [[Columbia University]] for two years. He became involved in student activism, and remained active after he left the university. At a Haiti-related event for student organizers, Bernard met Marise Piverger; they married in 1980 despite her parents' disapproval, and moved to [[Miami]].<ref name="nyt" /> |
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In Miami, Bernard co-founded the Haitian Refugee Center, which organized protests and litigated cases on behalf of detained Haitian refugees.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bernard Fils-Aimé, who helped launch Haiti’s 1st cell network, dies of COVID-19 at 67|url=https://www.today.com/video/bernard-fils-aime-who-helped-launch-haiti-s-1st-cell-network-dies-of-covid-19-at-67-90865221659|access-date=2020-09-24|website=TODAY.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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In Miami, Bernard went back to school, completing his bachelor's degree<ref name="nyt" /> and a [[Master of Public Administration]] from [[Florida International University]].<ref name="global" /> He worked in various administrative positions at [[Miami-Dade Community College]]: he was director of placement at the Wolfson campus<ref>{{Cite news|date=1991-03-18|title=Clipped From The Miami Herald|pages=79|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57984889/the-miami-herald/|access-date=2020-09-08}}</ref>, and later served as the [[Dean_(education)#Higher_education|assistant dean of students]]. <ref name="herald" /> |
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Bernard later went back to school, completing his bachelor's degree<ref name="nyt" /> and a [[Master of Public Administration]] from [[Florida International University]].<ref name="global">{{cite web|title=Speaker Biographies|url=https://globalwa.org/events-center/past-annual-conferences/conference-2010/speaker-biographies/|accessdate=13 August 2020|website=Global Washington Conference 2010}}</ref> He worked in various administrative positions at [[Miami-Dade Community College]]: he was director of placement at the Wolfson campus,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1991-03-18|title=Clipped From The Miami Herald|pages=79|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57984889/the-miami-herald/|access-date=2020-09-08}}</ref> and later served as the [[Dean_(education)#Higher_education|assistant dean of students]]. <ref name="herald">{{cite web|last1=Charles|first1=Jacqueline|date=11 August 2020|title=Entrepreneur, activist Bernard Fils-Aimé dead at 67|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article244866827.html|website=Miami Herald}}</ref> Bernard was also a member of the Book Distribution Committee for the [[Miami Book Fair International]] in 1992,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1992-11-15|title=Clipped From The Miami Herald|pages=382|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57985459/the-miami-herald/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> 1993,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1993-11-07|title=Clipped From The Miami Herald|pages=222|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57985579/the-miami-herald/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> and 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1995-11-05|title=Clipped From The Miami Herald|pages=969|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57985768/the-miami-herald/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> |
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==Business in Haiti== |
==Business in Haiti== |
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In 1995, Bernard |
In 1995, Bernard moved back to Haiti, although he would regularly visit Miami.<ref name="herald" /> His first business venture was SabbAimé S.A., an importer and distributer of frozen chicken.<ref name="global"/> Around this same time, a group of American investors wanted to start a [[wireless carrier]] in Haiti, and approached Bernard to serve as a local partner. He helped negotiate the initial licenses for what would become [[Comcel Haiti|Comcel]], and became the first CEO.<ref name="nyt" /> |
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| ⚫ | He recognized that Comcel faced unique hurdles as one of the few large private enterprises in Haiti. When subscribers complained of being unable to charge their phones, Bernard would let them charge their phones for free at Comcel headquarters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Romero |first1=Simon |title=TECHNOLOGY: A Cell Phone Surge Among World's Poor; In Haiti, Entrepreneurs as Suppliers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/19/business/technology-cell-phone-surge-among-world-s-poor-haiti-entrepreneurs-suppliers.html |website=The New York Times |date=19 December 2000}}</ref> He also directed Comcel's resources toward philanthropic initiatives; when the company changed its name to Voila, Bernard became the president of the Voila Foundation.<ref name="nyt" /> |
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Bernard retired from Voila's management after its sale to [[Digicel]] in 2012. He then joined the board of the Haitian Education & Leadership Program. He also served as president of the [[Trilogy International Partners|Trilogy International]] Foundation, which is associated with Comcel's US parent company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bernard Fils-Aimé|url=https://uhelp.net/profile/bernard-fils-aime/|accessdate=15 August 2020|website=Haitian Education and Leadership Program}}</ref> |
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==Political Involvement== |
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| ⚫ | He recognized that Comcel faced unique hurdles as one of the few large private enterprises in Haiti. When subscribers complained of being unable to charge their phones, Bernard would let them charge their phones for free at Comcel headquarters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Romero |first1=Simon |title=TECHNOLOGY: A Cell Phone Surge Among World's Poor; In Haiti, Entrepreneurs as Suppliers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/19/business/technology-cell-phone-surge-among-world-s-poor-haiti-entrepreneurs-suppliers.html |website=The New York Times |date=19 December 2000}}</ref> |
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Bernard was a close friend of Haitian [[President of Haiti|President]] [[Rene Preval]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-03-04|title=Clipped From The Miami Herald|pages=A4|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57987038/the-miami-herald/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> |
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In the aftermath of the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], Bernard was critical of the Haitian government's plan to [[Eminent domain|appropriate]] land for building aid camps; he observed that many political conflicts in Haiti had been triggered by land disputes.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-02-20|title=Clipped From The Ithaca Journal|pages=9|work=The Ithaca Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57986745/the-ithaca-journal/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> He also defended a private-sector-run opinion poll for the [[2010–11 Haitian general election|2010–11 Haitian presidential election]] in the name of transparency, as previous such polls had not been publicly released.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-11-12|title=Clipped From The Miami Herald|pages=9|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57986884/the-miami-herald/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> |
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In 2019, Bernard published an op-ed in the ''[[Miami Herald]]'' decrying President [[Jovenel Moïse|Jovenel Moïse's]] responses to the [[2018–2019 Haitian protests]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-12-09|title=Corrected photo|pages=A13|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57987147/corrected-photo/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> The article was republished after the ''Herald'' erroneously attached a photograph of [[Reggie Fils-Aimé]] instead of Bernard.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-12-08|title=Incorrect photo (Reggie instead of Bernard)|pages=C5|work=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57987127/incorrect-photo-reggie-instead-of/|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> |
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==Later work== |
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Bernard was a close friend of Haitian [[President of Haiti|President]] [[Rene Preval]]. |
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==Family== |
==Family== |
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<!-- Karl Fils-Aime graduated from the [[University of Pennsylvania]] in 2008 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Systems Engineering. [https://ras.seas.upenn.edu/student-awards/] --> |
<!-- Karl Fils-Aime graduated from the [[University of Pennsylvania]] in 2008 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Systems Engineering. [https://ras.seas.upenn.edu/student-awards/] --> |
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Bernard and his wife Marise had three children: daughter Erica and sons Karl and Gerard. |
Bernard and his wife Marise had three children: daughter Erica and sons Karl and Gerard.<ref name="nyt" /> |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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Revision as of 08:27, 24 September 2020
Bernard Fils-Aimé | |
|---|---|
.jpg) in 2009 | |
| Born | May 24, 1953 |
| Died | August 8, 2020 (aged 67) |
| Alma mater | Florida International University |
| Occupation(s) | entrepreneur, activist |
| Spouse | Marise Piverger (m. 1980) |
| Children | 3 |
Bernard Fils-Aimé (24 May 1953 – 8 August 2020) was a Haitian entrepreneur and activist. He was part of community assistance organizations for Haitians in America, cofounding the Haitian Refugee Center and serving on the board of the Haitian Education & Leadership Program. He also served as the managing director of Comcel Haiti from its founding in 1998 until its sale to Digicel in 2012.
Early career and activism
Bernard was the youngest of four children. His father Camile died soon after Bernard was born.[1] His mother, Uranie Gabriel Fils-Aime, was the directrice of the Republic of Guatemala Primary School in Petionville.[2] She opposed François Duvalier, and was briefly arrested for criticizing his policies.[1]
Bernard and his family left Haiti for New York City in 1966.[1] He graduated from John Jay High School in 1971,[3] then studied at Columbia University for two years. He became involved in student activism, and remained active after he left the university. At a Haiti-related event for student organizers, Bernard met Marise Piverger; they married in 1980 despite her parents' disapproval, and moved to Miami.[1]
In Miami, Bernard co-founded the Haitian Refugee Center, which organized protests and litigated cases on behalf of detained Haitian refugees.[4]
Bernard later went back to school, completing his bachelor's degree[1] and a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University.[5] He worked in various administrative positions at Miami-Dade Community College: he was director of placement at the Wolfson campus,[6] and later served as the assistant dean of students. [7] Bernard was also a member of the Book Distribution Committee for the Miami Book Fair International in 1992,[8] 1993,[9] and 1995.[10]
Business in Haiti
In 1995, Bernard moved back to Haiti, although he would regularly visit Miami.[7] His first business venture was SabbAimé S.A., an importer and distributer of frozen chicken.[5] Around this same time, a group of American investors wanted to start a wireless carrier in Haiti, and approached Bernard to serve as a local partner. He helped negotiate the initial licenses for what would become Comcel, and became the first CEO.[1]
He recognized that Comcel faced unique hurdles as one of the few large private enterprises in Haiti. When subscribers complained of being unable to charge their phones, Bernard would let them charge their phones for free at Comcel headquarters.[11] He also directed Comcel's resources toward philanthropic initiatives; when the company changed its name to Voila, Bernard became the president of the Voila Foundation.[1]
From 2006 to 2007, he served as the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti.[12]
Bernard retired from Voila's management after its sale to Digicel in 2012. He then joined the board of the Haitian Education & Leadership Program. He also served as president of the Trilogy International Foundation, which is associated with Comcel's US parent company.[13]
Political Involvement
Bernard was a close friend of Haitian President Rene Preval.[14]
In the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Bernard was critical of the Haitian government's plan to appropriate land for building aid camps; he observed that many political conflicts in Haiti had been triggered by land disputes.[15] He also defended a private-sector-run opinion poll for the 2010–11 Haitian presidential election in the name of transparency, as previous such polls had not been publicly released.[16]
In 2019, Bernard published an op-ed in the Miami Herald decrying President Jovenel Moïse's responses to the 2018–2019 Haitian protests.[17] The article was republished after the Herald erroneously attached a photograph of Reggie Fils-Aimé instead of Bernard.[18]
Family
Bernard and his wife Marise had three children: daughter Erica and sons Karl and Gerard.[1]
Death
Bernard died of COVID-19 at the University of Miami Hospital on August 8, 2020.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Leland, John (28 August 2020). "Bernard Fils-Aimé, Haitian Activist and Cellphone Mogul, Dies at 67". The New York Times.
- ^ Bros, Emmanuel (27 April 1978). "ARRETE" (PDF). Le Moniteur (in French). No. 29. Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Presses Nationales d'Haiti.
- ^ Prospect 1971. Brooklyn, NY: John Jay High School. 1971.
- ^ "Bernard Fils-Aimé, who helped launch Haiti's 1st cell network, dies of COVID-19 at 67". TODAY.com. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Speaker Biographies". Global Washington Conference 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ "Clipped From The Miami Herald". The Miami Herald. 18 March 1991. p. 79. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ a b c Charles, Jacqueline (11 August 2020). "Entrepreneur, activist Bernard Fils-Aimé dead at 67". Miami Herald.
- ^ "Clipped From The Miami Herald". The Miami Herald. 15 November 1992. p. 382. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "Clipped From The Miami Herald". The Miami Herald. 7 November 1993. p. 222. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "Clipped From The Miami Herald". The Miami Herald. 5 November 1995. p. 969. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ Romero, Simon (19 December 2000). "TECHNOLOGY: A Cell Phone Surge Among World's Poor; In Haiti, Entrepreneurs as Suppliers". The New York Times.
- ^ "Passing of Bernard Fils-Aimé". Haiti Libre. 13 August 2020.
- ^ "Bernard Fils-Aimé". Haitian Education and Leadership Program. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Clipped From The Miami Herald". The Miami Herald. 4 March 2017. pp. A4. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "Clipped From The Ithaca Journal". The Ithaca Journal. 20 February 2010. p. 9. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "Clipped From The Miami Herald". The Miami Herald. 12 November 2010. p. 9. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "Corrected photo". The Miami Herald. 9 December 2019. pp. A13. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "Incorrect photo (Reggie instead of Bernard)". The Miami Herald. 8 December 2019. pp. C5. Retrieved 24 September 2020.