Global Seafood CEO was a trailblazer –President Granger says -As country mourns Allison Butters-Grant’s passing

Jan 15, 2019 News

Given the fact that they shared identical ailment, it is no surprise that President David Granger is among the first Government officials to express condolences over the passing of Allison Butters-Grant.
Butters Grant was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Seafood Distributors situated at 8 West Ruimveldt, Front Road, Georgetown.
She reportedly passed away some time Sunday in the United States where she had travelled to receive treatment for Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. Last year, President Granger too was diagnosed with this condition in Cuba, where he has been receiving treatment.
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma is a group of blood cancers that includes all types of lymphoma except Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Lymphomas are types of cancer that develop from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, night sweat, weight loss and tiredness.
As President Granger battles this disease, doctors have recommended that the Head of State reduce his work load as he continues treatment. It is not clear how far along Butters-Grant infliction was at the time of her demise.
In his statement on her passing, Granger said that he is saddened even as he pointed out that “Mrs. Butters- Grant was greatly admired and respected as a female entrepreneur and trailblazer.”
Just last year, President Granger toured Global Seafoods Distributors and noted that the company’s operations were “entirely in keeping with Government’s food security policy.”

Allison Butters-Grant in the company of President Granger during a tour of Global Seafood Distributors last year.

Recognising the colossal loss to not only the country but those even closer to her, President Granger has extended “heartfelt sympathy to her husband, children and other relatives.”
Butters-Grant was married to Kerwin Grant, the Managing Director of the company. She was mother to Tiffany and Tricina. She was also a proud grandmother to her only grandson, Declan.
Despite the advice of many, even her parents, Leslie and Alma Butters [both deceased],– since 1966 Butters-Grant, driven by her inner patriot was determined to delve into Guyana’ business sector.
She simply couldn’t adhere to her parents’ advice to steer clear of Guyana’s business sector although she had migrated and remained in the United States for some 29 years. She returned to Guyana in 2014 and from literal nothingness was able to establish the Seafood Business which has ever since been a force to be reckoned with.
The business has over the years become known for not only producing high quality fish to the local market but these have also been well received on the international market as well.
“We were always big on quality and not so much quantity. If your product is not up to a certain quality and following certain standards, the quantity wouldn’t matter because your market will not be sustainable,” Butters-Grant had shared during an interview with this publication.
She quipped too, “Quality is important to us! Because of where we are coming from, this is expected…If we say we are giving you a quality product, that is exactly what you will get, and we have been doing that. If you say it is fillet, there should be no bones; if you say it is skinless, boneless, you shouldn’t find skin and you shouldn’t find bones.
“Coming from a background of working in a variety of industries in the United States where the slightest mistake could cost you money, we brought that same mentality to Global Seafood, and that has been wholly embraced by our staff.”
But the business has not only been about turning a profit for Butters-Grant, it has also provided employment to many, some of whom would have otherwise been employed.
In fact Butters-Grant had over the years been keen in helping many of her employees elevate themselves academically.
Since word of her passing surfaced many have expressed shock and have been sharing their condolences with those who have been close to this outstanding entrepreneur who has left an indelible mark on the Guyanese society.

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