This Saturday, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica will honor two of its media stalwarts. Messrs. Everett Wiles and Arnold Kelly, two former managers of NCU FM, will be honored for their outstanding contributions to leadership and media.
The recognition will take place during the inaugural Film Festival and Symposium of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU), at the Conference Centre of the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Mount Salem, St. James.
“Our Church owes a debt of gratitude to both former leaders of the NCU Media Group, and we praise God for them,” said Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica.
“Mr. Kelly’s voice was a staple at NCU and on NCU radio for a number of years. His voice represented integrity, honesty, respect, and professionalism. He gave sterling Christian service to NCU and JAMU, educating, informing, and ministering to his audience with respect, humility, and integrity. Arnold Kelly was the consummate professional, a true servant of God, and a friend to all.”
“On the other hand, explained Brown, Everett Wiles is a trailblazer for the NCU media group. He deserves recognition and praise for his leadership, vision, and pioneering efforts in establishing the current NCU media group. His work in training many workers who are now leaders in mainstream media at the University, as chair of the Department of Communication Studies and as an Adjunct Lecturer, is outstanding.”
Everett Wiles is a dedicated media professional with approximately thirty years of experience in television production, education, and media management. His media career began in the early 1990s when he played a key role in establishing a media department at West Indies College, now known as Northern Caribbean University (NCU).
Starting in 2010, Mr. Wiles was the General Manager of the NCU Media Group. He was also an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Communication Studies for several years until he migrated to the USA in June 2017. He currently works as the Vice President for Integrated Marketing and Communication at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Arnold Kelly has been in broadcasting for over 35 years and served until December 2024 as the General Manager of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Media Group in Mandeville, Jamaica. Kelly also hosted First Light, the flagship weekday morning show on NCU FM, until January 2025.
His media career began in 1986 when he volunteered at JBC Radio West after attending a broadcasting workshop. Two years later, he was employed as a Technical Operator.
Between 1994 and 2006, he served in various roles at Love FM, Jamaica’s first religious radio station.
In 2006, he joined Northern Caribbean University as the institution prepared for the launch of The NCU Media Group. He was the director of media services, assistant general manager, radio, and Assistant General Manager, and he was appointed general manager in 2018.
He was also selected for special recognition by the Atlanta-based Emet Global Theological Seminary, where he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Sacred Music (DSM) for his contributions to the local and regional music industry through media ministry.
The Festival starts at 3:00 pm, and the theme is “Recapturing the Spirit of Mission.”
