MIAMI – Influential members of South Florida’s Jamaican community have lauded Oliver Mair — Jamaica’s outgoing Consul General to Miami — for a productive tenure that strengthened ties with their homeland and its Diaspora.
Mair assumed office in Florida in September 2018 and will become Consul General in New York in September 2026.
Known in the community as CG, Mair was a popular figure throughout South Florida. He established several initiatives that assisted people in Jamaica with medical challenges; the charity-based Jamaica Hi-5 Reggae Run/Walk; and helping to coordinate relief drives that assisted victims of hurricanes Beryl and Melissa.
Mayor Wayne Messam
Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam
“Consul General Oliver Mair will be greatly missed in South Florida. His work on behalf of the Jamaican Diaspora was both transformative and transcending. He truly walked with kings while never losing the common touch, and our residents felt that every time he showed up in Miramar,” said Miramar mayor, Wayne Messam.
He added that, “Miramar is home to one of the largest Jamaican communities in the United States, and we look forward to welcoming his successor. There will be no other Oliver Mair but we are confident the office will continue to represent Jamaica with excellence.”
Attorney Marlon Hill
Attorney Marlon Hill described Mair as a “force of nature” who went beyond the call of duty.
Attorney Marlon Hill
“CG Mair rejuvenated our consular region in a post-COVID era. He utilized the power of our culture and social powers to reconnect our personal relationships,” Hill noted.
“Given his prior background in business and marketing, he incorporated these soft skills to harness the best of our community activism. Most importantly, he humanized the office in highlighting our music and culture in events of all types.
He and Mair were integral to the post Hurricane Beryl and Melissa recovery effort in South Florida. They helped raise millions of dollars in relief supplies for Jamaica and other Caribbean countries.
“In addition to mobilizing the volunteer support of thousands of Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica, we had to collaboratively raise thousands of dollars and marshall supplies to support on-the-ground relief efforts,” said Hill.
“Our work together also included working with community partners like Global Empowerment Mission, Food For The Poor and American Friends of Jamaica.”
Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative Janice McIntosh
Janice McIntosh, representative for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council’s Southern Region of the United States, collaborated with Mair on several projects including the Reggae Run/Walk.
Like Hill, she is impressed by his people skills.
Janice McIntosh
“He has an exceptional ability to mobilize people. Following COVID, he inspired a historic turnout from the Southern United States for the Jamaica Diaspora Conference, and he repeated that success in 2026,” she said. “His leadership consistently brings people together around a common purpose.”
The New York Consulate serves Jamaica’s largest overseas population covering 33 states. In addition, Mair will have concurrent accreditation for Bermuda and Puerto Rico.
Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister – Kamina Johnson-Smith
Kamina Johnson-Smith, Jamaica’s foreign affairs minister, hailed Mair’s stay in South Florida.
Kamina Johnson Smith Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
“Among his notable achievements is the establishment of the annual Jamaica Hi-5 Reggae Run/Walk, which has helped raise support for Jamaica’s healthcare sector and the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Adopt-a-Clinic Program,” she said.
“The initiative has contributed to the adoption of 17 rural health facilities in the southern region, including six funded directly through proceeds from the event.”
