AMIDST the controversy surrounding the appointment of Communications Consultant Lennox Cornette as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at National Communications Network (NCN) after he admitted to forging a signature in the past, the newly-appointed NCN boss says there was no financial impropriety involved in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) signature issue.

Cornette, who remained silent about the issue for days, in a press release yesterday condemned attacks streaming mainly from online news sources which questioned his credibility as CEO after he had acknowledged forging a signature while being employed as Public Relations Officer (PRO) at GT&T, leading to his dismissal from the major telephone company.

Sections of the media reported that a leaked email suggested there was disagreement at the Board of Directors’ level over the approval and appointment of Cornette.

However, a press release from GuyEnterprise said Cornette “emerged the best candidate for the CEO’s position, based on his diverse communication, financial and executive management background” after a successful round of interviews by the NCN Board of Directors.

Cornette said the attacks on his person came from online sources after the announcement was made by the NCN Board that he had emerged as the best candidate among those who were interviewed for the post of CEO. He said the attacks, first centered on an occurrence while he was Public Relations Officer of GT&T, descended to questioning his ability to manage NCN.

Though he admitted forging the signature of then GT&T Deputy General Manager the late Terry Holder, Cornette said, “I wish to place on record that the signature issue at GT&T had nothing to do with money or financial impropriety. It was an internal matter that was dealt with internally by GT&T. This can be attested to by the company.”

He said that, from what was reported in the media, it appears that from the leaked emails from the NCN Board discussion, someone was pre-selected outside of the Board for the CEO’s position.

Cornette said while “all applicants were required to submit with their applications an outline of what they perceive as the mandate of NCN and how they will enhance that mandate,” his submission, coupled with his performance at the interview, “came closest to what the Board required” in the person to be appointed for the post.

“In relation to my ability to manage the national broadcaster, I have more than 20 years’ experience in management and executive management positions. I have successfully fulfilled several consultancies for national and international organizations, and I have done my Masters research on strategic marketing with the focus on corporate identity.”

According to Cornette, he has enjoyed a cordial relationship with GT&T even after his departure at the end of 1999, and in May 2011 he was asked to chair GT&T’s 16th TeleGathering Meeting, which was hosted in Guyana over the Easter weekend that year.

“TeleGatherng is an annual event of telecos in the Caribbean,” he said, and his name was even mentioned as the meeting’s chair in a report in Stabroek News.

In 2014, GT&T also made major contributions to the publication of Cornette’s book, “The development of Telecommunications in Guyana (1884-1994)”.

“NCN is a veritable well that has been blocked up by (inefficient) operations, lack of strategic vision and direction, inconsistencies between corporate strategies and departmental goals, inappropriate allocation of resources, lack of attendance to best practices, and staff who are not adequately motivated to pursue targets and goals,” Cornette said.

He noted also that with his rich background in media and communications, executive management and finance, he is enthusiastic about playing a major part in “(turning) the fortunes on NCN around”, and he has a “deep desire to serve (his) country.”

As CEO of NCN, he said, he intends to “revolutionise the entity,” endeavouring firstly to “stop the financial haemorrhaging and (boost) income generation.”

“I will ensure that a good strategic plan is developed. This plan aims at operational efficiency through effective coordination of the technical, administrative, programming, and marketing components of the organisation. A new corporate vision, objectives and major strategy components will be communicated to managers and employees,” the new CEO stated.

Cornette, in an invited comment last week, called NCN “A catalyst for national development and cohesion”, and said the television/radio network also has a vital role to play in fulfilling the traditional role of the media – to inform, educate and entertain.

Cornette’s professional summary on his Curriculum Vitae reads: “More than 20 years’ experience in Management, Communications, Public Relations, and Stakeholder Engagement. Specialist in developing and implementing communications, marketing, promotion, and consensus-building strategies. Strength in effective planning, project management, and strategizing. Excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.”

He last worked as Deputy CEO of Jaling Forest Industries Inc., a Hong Kong company which controlled over 200,000 hectares of forests in Guyana with an investment of over US$100M.