Eagle Beach — Managing Director Alex Nieuwmeyer, was joined by his entire executive team for the emotional retirement party of thirteen employees at the Alhambra Ballroom.
The retiring dignitaries, with bragging right to 381 years of experience, reported mixed feelings about leaving their much-loved resort company, yet they all expressed predominant joy about new opportunities, and spending more time with family members and friends.
The party was nicely catered by the culinary brigade and cocktails were enjoyed by the retirees and their excited family members before and after the official farewell ceremony, laced with straight-from-the-heart speeches and the presentation of commemorative plaques.
A total of seven retires formed part of Divi’s famed culinary brigade, and while they will be missed, they spent some time training their successors, says managing director Nieuwmeyer, assuring continuity for Divi’s numerous and diverse excellent food and beverage outlets. Nieuwmeyer wished his retirees a blissful future of occasionally cooking for their kids and family members, as full-time, stay-home grandparents.
Among retirees Julia Perez-Gonzalez, who cooked delicious staff meals in the Cafeteria for five year, Alvaro Bernal who served as Round Cook and skilled Butcher for 12 years, Martha Pineda, who worked as Second Cook, and Maria Terrero, a Cook Helper who shared the work space in the kitchen for 27 years. Also recognized for 29 years of service Erminda Benjamin, the Pantry Girl, Velicia Pierre Louis, a Cook for 34 years and Maria Kingsdale, a Second Cook for 37 years. Maria’s two sons, on hand for the festivities expressed their delight at their mother’s retirement plans. She is coming home to us, they said.
Beatriz Ochoa, guest service representative for 24 years, since the day she arrived on the island, shared the stage with Luci Martinez, who meticulously cared for public spaces as a housekeeper for 25 years. Also called to the stage to receive her commemorative plaque Norma Telesford, who pulled purse strings at the accounting as an Account Payable Supervisor for 31 years and Cornelis Maduro, who spent 43 years as a Laundry Supervisor.
Seferina Briezen a Reservations Agent, better known as Inchi, reigned at the reservation department for 45 years, anticipating and fulfilling guests special needs and requests. She joined bartender Juan Tromp, a veteran of 45 years, a masterful mixologist from the Pelican Bar, on stage to receive a thundering round of applause for completing their long and successful careers.
Pictured here, unforgettable party moments as thirteen hard-working, young-at-heart employees take their retirement from Divi Resorts.

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