Bernard Fils-Aimé
Bernard Fils-Aimé | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 24, 1953 |
| Died | August 8, 2020 (aged 67) |
| Occupation(s) | entrepreneur, activist |
| Spouse | Marise Fils-Aimé (m. 1979) |
| Children | 3 |
Bernard Fils-Aimé (24 May 1953 – 8 August 2020) was a Haitian entrepreneur and activist. He was part of community assistance organizations, cofounding the Haitian Refugee Center and serving as Chairman 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. [1][2][3]
Early career
Bernard and his family left Haiti for New York City when he was thirteen years old. He attended John Jay High School, then entered Columbia University. Bernard later decided to move to Miami. He worked as an administrator at Miami-Dade Community College, eventually becoming the assistant dean of students. He also earned a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University.
Business in Haiti
In 1995, Bernard returned to Haiti, although he would continue to visit Miami. His first business venture was SabbAimé S.A., an importer and distributer of frozen chicken.[2]
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.[4]
From 2006 to 2007, he served as the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti.[5]
Later work
Bernard was a close friend of Haitian President Rene Preval.
Death
Bernard died of COVID-19 at the University of Miami Hospital on August 8, 2020.[1]
- ^ a b Charles, Jacqueline (11 August 2020). "Entrepreneur, activist Bernard Fils-Aimé dead at 67". Miami Herald.
- ^ a b "Speaker Biographies". Global Washington Conference 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ "Bernard Fils-Aimé". Haitian Education and Leadership Program. Retrieved 15 August 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.