Ministers Of State
Zhivargo Laing, son of straw vendor Naomi Seymour and former hotel worker, the late Cedric Laing was born on September 7, 1967, in Nassau but grew up in Freeport.
He received his early education at Lewis Yard Primary School and Hawksbill High School where he was Headboy. Later he attended The College of The Bahamas and was elected President of the College of The Bahamas Union of Students.
Zhivargo completed studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in economic from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. Later he undertook graduate studies at the George Washington University. He also received training in foreign investment promotion in Taiwan and Japan.
In May 1997, Mr. Laing was elected to the House of Assembly as the FNM representative for the Fort Charlotte Constituency. He was appointed Minister of State in Youth, Sports and Culture, Minister of State in Education and Minister of Economic Development.
Zhivargo is the author of three books: “College, Career and Money – A Guide for Teens and Young Adults”, “A Trust Out of this World” and “Who Moved My Conch – Understanding How Free Trade will affect the Bahamian Economy”. He writes a weekly Column “Straight Up Talk” for the Tribune and is host of “Public Affairs Corner”, and a radio talk show on Mix 102.1 FM. He is the proprietor of Pro-Life Development Systems, a motivational speaking, training and business consulting firm.
A member of the Assemblies of God Churches, Mr. Laing is married to the former Zsa Zsa Monique LaRoda and they have two sons, Zhivargo II and Zhimaal, and one daughter Za’riah.
Phenton O. Neymour, 42, the son of Basil Neymour and the former Ena Neymour, is a former Head Boy of both St. Paul’s College in Freeport (1979-80) and Queen’s College in Nassau (1981-82).
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, with a minor in Mathematics, and a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering with a minor in Business Administration from Syracuse University in New York.
A former Leader of the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR), Mr. Neymour has been involved in the Trade Union Movement serving as president of the Water and Sewerage Corporate Management Union and as the Assistant Secretary General of The Bahamas Trade Union Congress.
He is presently vice president of Development of The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation, having previously served as a director.
Mr. Neymour worships at Christ Church Cathedral. He is married to the former Juliet Gittens and the couple has two children, Ashley and Jonathan.
Mrs. Loretta-Butler Turner is a Funeral Director, Embalmer and Business Administrator, the first Bahamian female to have achieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Sciences; she is also a Civic and Political enthusiast.
She is the grand-daughter of the first Bahamian Governor-General, Sir Milo Butler and his wife Lady Butler.
Mrs. Turner was born in Nassau to Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh Butler on January 9th, 1961.
Mrs. Turner received her primary and secondary education at St. Andrew's School, Nassau and her college education at New England Institute, Boston Massachusetts, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Summa Cum Laude). She is married to Edward Turner and the couple has two children.
Mrs. Turner is a member of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church. She is an Executive Member of The Free National Movement, a member of the Women’s Association and immediate past Deputy Chairman of the FNM.
Mrs. Turner was a candidate for the FNM in the St. Margaret’s Constituency in the 2002 general elections.
Byran Woodside was born August 22, 1961, at Nassau, to Neville and Margaret Woodside. He is the father of two children, Blair Shelby Woodside and Byran Shelton Woodside, Jr.
He attended Wentworth Primary School, Uriah McPhee Primary School, C. H. Reeves Junior School and R. M. Bailey Senior High School. After graduating in 1977 from R. M. Bailey, he attended the College of The Bahamas where he obtained an Associates of Arts Degree in Sociology.
A former columnist for the College of The Bahamas publication, The Spectrum, he attended Brigham Young University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology, with a minor in Economics.
He was employed with the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture and served as Executive Director of Junior Achievement Bahamas from 1985-1990.
Mr. Woodside was employed with Texaco Bahamas Limited for 11 years, advancing to the position of Marketing and Sales Manager in the Marketing Department.
Today, he leads a 17-member team at Texaco Thompson Boulevard Star Mart and Service Station.
He is the holder of an external LL.B. (Hons.) Degree from the University of London and obtained a Certificate of Legal Education from the Eugene Dupuch Law School. He was called to the Bahamas Bar on October 31, 2003.
Mr Woodside is an associate with the law firm of Seymour & Co.
