The Bridge Authority is under the portfolio of the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs, headed by the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works & Family Island Affairs.
As a quasi-governmental entity, the Bridge Authority is ultimately answerable to the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Hon. Philip Edward Davis.
The Hon. Philip Edward Davis
PRIME MINISTER
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
The Hon. Philip Edward “Brave” Davis became the Fifth Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas following the General Election of September 16, 2021.
Mr. Davis was born June 7, 1951, to Brave Edward Davis of Old Bight, Cat Island, and Dorothy Davis (nee Smith) of Alexander, Exuma.
He received his early education at the Eastern Prep School, Eastern Jr. School and St. John’s College. Upon graduating from St. John’s at the aged of 16 with six GCE ‘O’ Levels, he was employed as a construction worker. Later, Mr. Davis secured employment at Barclay’s Bank before resigning to pursue a career as an articled clerk with Wallace-Whitfield and Barnwell. Mr. Davis was called to the Bar of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on March 5, 1975.
Mr. Davis was first elected the Member of Parliament for the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador Constituency in 1992. He was defeated at the polls in the 1997 General Election by the Free National Movement candidate James H. Miller. However, in the 2002 General Election, Mr. Davis defeated Mr. Miller to return to Parliament as the representative for the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador Constituency. He continued as the representative of that constituency following wins in the 2007, 2012, 2017 and the 2021 General Elections.
Read more
Following the General Election of 2017, Mr. Davis was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition.
On September 17, 2021, Mr. Davis was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and on September 18, 2021 the Governor-General presented him with his instruments of appointment to the Office of Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Prime Minister Davis is also the Minister of Finance.
Up to his appointment as Prime Minister, Mr. Davis was a practicing attorney-at-law in the law firm of Davis and Co. He is a former partner in the law firm of Christie, Davis and Co. and he has served as president and vice-president of the Bahamas Bar Association. He has sat on the Council of Legal Education and its Executive Committee as well as the Academic Committee of the Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica. He has served as a chairman of the National Insurance Board and as a Magistrate in The Bahamas court system.
An Anglican, Mr. Davis has served as a member of St. Christopher’s Anglican Church Vestry Board and also as the Parish’s Synod representative.
He is the father of six and is married to the former Ann Marie Austin. His hobbies include swimming, softball, jogging and reading.
His ministerial portfolio includes:
Government Finance and Borrowings
Revenue
Treasury Department
Customs Department
Department of Inland Revenue
Budgeting & Planning
Central Bank of The Bahamas
Bahamas Development Bank
Banks and Trust Companies
Post Office Savings Bank
Auctions
Treasure Trove
Wrecks
Business Licenses and Valuations
Guarantee Loans (Tourism Development)
First-Time Homeowners Tax
Exemption Programme
Bank of The Bahamas
Public Procurement
Relations with Multilateral Financial Institutions
Administration of Tax Information
Exchange Agreements
Relations with the Securities Commission
Show less
The Hon. Clay Sweeting
Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs
In 2008, the Hon. Clay Sweeting became the youngest member to serve in Local Government at that time in Spanish Wells.
At the age of 17, his entrepreneurial spirit moved him to purchase half of a fishing vessel.
Now a former fisherman, Minister Sweeting desires to share his passion with his community.
He served as Chairman of the Spanish Wells Commonage Committee from 2008 to 2009 and is a member of the Bahamas Real Estate Association. He also served as the Deputy Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation where he was instrumental in assisting and developing entrepreneurs and agriculture in the Bahamas.
Read more
He is a former Senator and the owner of Tees R Us Bahamas Ltd. and other businesses.
He was born on December 21st , 1985 in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera and received his education at Spanish Wells All Age School and Teeside University.
He enjoys sports, fishing, travelling and spending time with his family. He is married to Delia and they are the parents of 1 son, Davin.
On September 16, 2021 he was elected Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera and on September 20, 2021 he was sworn to office as the Minister with responsibility for Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs.
Minister Sweeting’s portfolio as Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island affairs included: Agricultural food production, Department of Agriculture, agriculture marketing, horticulture, quality control of food and beverage, Potters Cay Dock, veterinary services and animal disease, public markets, Down Home Fish Fry, food security, Bahamas Agriculture Health and Food Safety Authority, slaughter houses, agricultural lands, cooperatives, craft markets, credit unions, relations with The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, Bahamas Agricultural Marine Science Institute, Fisheries, relations with Local Government Authorities, Family Island Affairs, Local Improvement Associations, regattas and homecoming festivals.
On the 11th September, 2023; Minister Sweeting was named Minister for the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs by the Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, The Hon. Philip Davis, KC, MP; during a reshuffle in cabinet.
His new portfolio will include:
Department of Public Works
Department of Physical Planning
Construction, Maintenance and Upkeep of Public Infrastructure including
Government Buildings, Roads, Docks, Bridges and Cemeteries
Maintenance and Construction of Sidewalks
Explosives and Volatile Substances
Drainage
Relations with the Straw Market Authority
Downtown Nassau Re-Development
Town and Country Planning
Private Roads and Subdivisions
Land Use Plan for New Providence and Family Islands
Building Control
Physical Planning and Land Use
Relations with Bahamas Power and Light Company
Relations with The Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation
Relations with The Bridge Authority
Public Parks and Beaches Authority
Family Island Affairs
Show less
Mr. Henry Alexander Leon Storr
Executive Chairman
Chairman Henry Alexander Leon Storr is a Bahamian public servant and community leader with more than two decades of experience in public administration, organizational leadership, disaster management, and public policy.
A graduate of Queen’s College High School, Chairman Storr earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Barry University in Florida.
Read more
Throughout his career, Chairman Storr has held a number of senior leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. Following the 2012 General Election, he was appointed to the Senate of The Bahamas by Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, where he participated in debates on key national legislation, including the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act and the legislation renaming Labour Day as Randol Fawkes Labour Day. He also served as Chairman of the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation from 2012 to 2017 and later as Executive Chairman of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) from 2021 until its transition to the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM Authority), a transformation he oversaw. He continued to serve as Executive Chairman of the DRM Authority until June 2026, leading national initiatives focused on disaster preparedness, resilience, recovery, and organizational development.
A strong advocate for effective governance, strategic planning, and community engagement, Chairman Storr has served on numerous public boards, committees, and community organizations throughout his career. He remains committed to strengthening public institutions, fostering leadership, and contributing to the continued development of The Bahamas.
Show less
Mr. Jerry Pinder
Deputy Chairman
Mr. Jerry Pinder is a dedicated community leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for family island development, with decades of experience across public service, business, and community engagement.
Mr. Pinder began his public service career in 1987 when he was appointed as a member of the Board of Works (now the Ministry of Local Government), serving until 1992. He has long been a vocal and active advocate for the advancement and self-sufficiency of the family islands, particularly his home community of Spanish Wells, Eleuthera.
Read more
Deeply committed to youth and sports development, Mr. Pinder has served the Spanish Wells Sports Association for over 40 years, beginning at the age of (16) sixteen. His leadership in this area has made a lasting impact on generations of young people in the community.
In addition to his public service, Mr. Pinder has a strong background in the maritime and agricultural sectors. He has served as captain of a local fishing company and continues to maintain a part-time farming operation.
Mr. Pinder is also a successful entrepreneur. He is the Manager of Tees-R-Us, a screen-printing company based in Spanish Wells that provides custom apparel and promotional products to customers throughout the Bahamas and internationally.
A devoted family man, Mr. Pinder is the proud father of two children—one son and one daughter. With a deep love for his community and a strong commitment to service, Mr. Pinder brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and local insight to the Bridge Authority.
Show less
Mrs. Lorraine Johnson-Berry
Board of Director
Mrs. Lorraine Johnson-Berry serves as a member of the Board of Directors for The Bridge Authority.
She is a decorated banker by profession, with a rich history in the Commercial Banking Sector, that spans over two decades.
During her career, she has risen through the ranks in banking and served in many distinctive roles inclusive of positions responsible for the leadership and management of people, as well as client portfolios. In her current role as a Private Banker, at one of our leading financial institutions, she manages a portfolio of wealthy to affluent local and international clients.
Read more
She has been recognized for her stellar performance and received multiple local and regional awards. Her most notable award was being the awardee of the Bahamas Financial Services “Professional of the Year Award”.
Mrs. Johnson-Berry completed her High School Education at St. Augustine’s College. She holds an Associates of Arts Degree in Banking & Finance; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Management with a concentration in Finance; and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the College of the Bahamas and Nova Southeast University.
While she is a former Kiwanian, she continues to render her service to the less fortunate and needy in the community and offers mentorship to young ladies in her circle and community at large. She is an active member at her church and currently serves as the Church’s keyboard player and Treasurer.
Mrs. Johnson-Berry is married to Mr. Warren Berry and the couple is blessed with three children Kennon, Jai’den, and Zayne.
Show less
Ms. Anya Mackey
Board Secretary
Ms. Anya Mackey is an experienced Business Administrator with over 20 years of expertise in the Hospitality Industry. In her role as an Executive Assistant, she holds a Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) from the American Society of Administrative Professionals and a Certification in Procurement and Logistics Management from the University of The Bahamas. Ms. Mackey’s passion for continuous learning drives her commitment to ongoing professional development.
Mr. Basil Longley
General Manager
Basil G. Longley currently serves as the General Manager of The Bridge Authority.
Mr. Longley is a highly qualified technology professional with over 40 yrs experience having started at BTC as Telecommunications Technician, IBM for 20yrs as Computer Engineer and Professional Services Specialist, followed by 22yrs employment with a major International Bank as Senior Manager for Regional Technical Support, Project Management, Strategy and ATM Channel.
Read more
Mr. Longley has achieved several successes during his career having led the implementation of Computer Networks / Systems / ATMs / Call Centers and the deployment of over 200 ATMs regionally.
He was also responsible for the leadership and management of people across 16 countries in the Caribbean including Bahamas / Barbados / Jamaica / Cayman / Eastern Caribbean Islands.
Mr. Longley completed his High School Education at St. John’s College and holds a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems and a number of professional certifications and training
in Telecommunications Engineering, IBM AS 400, LAN / WAN Networking, Structured Cabling, Power Management, ATM Installation and Support.
Mr. Longley is President of Perpall Tract Community Association, Chairman of Fort Charlotte Community Development Association and Board Director for Governor General Youth Award Program. He is a member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church and is married to Mrs. Carolyn Longley and the couple is blessed with three children Basil Jr., Dr. Cheree Longley-Thompson, and Baron Longley.
Show less
Ms. Shanette Kelly
Human Resources & Operations Manager
Shanette Kelly is the Executive Human Resources and Operations Manager at The Bridge Authority providing leadership and support in Human Resource issues to ensure the implementation of the HR strategies aligns with the operational plans of the Authority; with the oversight of 50 employees.
Ms. Kelly is an accomplished Human Resources Manager with over 15 years of experience in Business Management and 11 years of progressive experience in the field of Human Resources with local companies. She is a consummate professional with demonstrated strengths in customer service, time management and trend analysis and salary surveys.
Read more
Ms. Kelly began her early career in the Financial Services Industry where she served as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Marketing at Family Guardian Insurance Company Ltd. with over 15 years’ of involvement in that sector. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, an Associate Degree in Marketing along with several other financial certifications including Professional Customer Service, Associate Customer Service and Cert. Level II under the FLMI Designation. She is also a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and is presently pursuing a certification in International Human Resources Law and Professional Life Coaching.
Ms. Kelly is a decisive manager who has comprehensive knowledge of Human Resources Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures including but not limited to HR guidance, integration of policies, international recruitment, contract negotiations, training, HRIS management, compensation and benefits structure and regulatory compliance.
Ms. Kelly also serves as an Associate Pastor at Glory Tabernacle Ministries and is part of several leadership boards. As the President of the Women’s Ministry, her passion and focus are on assisting hurting women regardless of age, religion, demographics, etc. and to aid in teaching them to understand their true identity in Christ; even from a state of brokenness to wholeness and comprehending God’s plans and purpose for their lives. With the wealth of knowledge concerning the Word of God and a strong background in cultivating positive relationships, Ms. Kelly intends to be a transformational leader and a trendsetter of her time. Ms. Kelly is a mother of three beautiful children.
Show less
