She was able to earn the respect of her
peers by “demonstrating the ability to deal
with tough situations with confidence and
grace, having a ‘learning attitude’ … being
humble, direct, self-motivating, taking
myself seriously and, most of all, by loving
what I do.” Ms Tynes told
Sphere
how she
rose through the ranks in the RBPF despite
the fact that women were rarely seen. At
FCP, however, change is afoot.
Asked how she arrived at her current role
in the top job in the industry, she answers,
“By standing by my decisions and my work,
not being afraid to speak my mind, not
being afraid of failure, asking for help when
I needed it, being a team player and just
being myself.” Ms Tynes has high praise
for the company’s policy of rewarding good
performers and ensuring that gender is
never a barrier to advancement.
Sphere
#38
2015
17
>>
softens her former official police-style
mannerisms to match her current job.
As soon as she arrived at FCP, events
from years before began to transform the
security profession forever.
Shortly after she joined the Group in 2004,
the US government’s Transportation
Security Administration and the
International Maritime Organization
worked their way through to determining
new security upgrades that would be
required for port and airport operators in
the wake of the 9–11 bombings in America.
The implementation of new protocols was
a demanding task, requiring a great deal of
rapid institutional change. Ms Tynes’ strong
character, built during her time in the RBPF,
helped her to bring the new procedures and
equipment online in record time.
Her discipline, eye for detail and deep
understanding of international security
norms and local conditions enabled her
to execute the implementation in short
order. Her skills and experience served
her well, and she successfully adapted
her management style to work alongside
private sector colleagues.
Speak up
One thing she did demand while serving as
a police officer was respect for the role.
“Anytime I was in a situation where I
wasn’t being treated fairly, I pointed it
out, bringing the focus back to respect
for the title and position, not the gender.”
omen are rising above that
ancient bias and coming into
the spotlight in different
businesses and industries
around the globe.
Sphere
takes a look at a top-notch scientist, two
accomplished engineers and a former top
cop turned security expert, all of whom
are succeeding in the Group.
Top cop
Denise Tynes was tested in hot water
during her career in law enforcement and
security in the tropics. She now presides
over the Security Department of Freeport
Container Port (FCP), Freeport Harbour
Company Limited and the Grand Bahama
Airport Company.
Her prominent background as the first
female Inspector, first female Forensic
Scientist and first female Deputy
Commander in the history of the Drug
Enforcement Unit of the Royal Bahamas
Police Force (RBPF) means that she has
no problem dealing with the toughest law
enforcement officials and criminals that
regularly cross her path. Nowadays, she
W
“Focus on respect for the
title and position, not the
gender.”
Denise Tynes,
Head of Security,
Freeport Container Port
