Allison Butters-Grant remembered as a patriot after losing battle to cancer

The name Allison Butters-Grant is synonymous with the saying “Guyanese to the bone.” She was one of Guyana’s most patriotic citizens and though she lived abroad for most of her adult life, she never forgot Guyana. Much of the Guyanese population was shocked on January 13 when they heard the news that Butters-Grant lost her battle with cancer.
Butters-Grant was the President and Chief Executive officer of Global Seafood Distributors and died on January 13, 2019 in New Jersey after a brief battle with cancer.
Butters-Grant was a larger-than-life figure, who brought her remarkable passion, experience, and energy to everyone she came in contact with and the multiple organisations she was active in. Her love for Guyana and her sterling contributions to its development over the years speak volumes about her passion for progress in Guyana on many levels.
Butters-Grant was greatly admired and respected as a female entrepreneur and trailblazer. She infused her company with deeply-held values of integrity, a strong sense of right and wrong, great compassion and loyalty, and a solid commitment to family, staff, community and, above all, a quality product that proudly carries the tag line “We eat what we sell”.
She was a trusted colleague, a successful entrepreneur, and an inspiration to many. Butters-Grant had the vision to establish Global Seafood and with a steady hand, she guided the company from its humble beginnings to a household name for quality seafood products. Butters-Grant has made an indelible mark on who we are today and we will keep her legacy of great service, personal relationships, and outstanding stewardship alive and well.
“The entire Global Seafood family mourns this loss. On behalf of our management team, employees and family, we extend our deepest thanks for all the kind words and sympathy during these difficult times…With the passing of Allison Butters-Grant, Global Seafood has suffered a major loss. Notwithstanding that loss, the management and staff is confident that her husband and Manager Director Kerwin Grant, who will assume the post of Chief Executive Officer, and the rest of the Global Seafood team will capitalise on the changes and vision that Allison has made and continue to expand, build and bring her vision into realisation. Another hallmark of her leadership was building a great team to ensure that our guiding principles will remain intact and that our vision to build an unparalleled quality seafood brand will continue,” her company said after her passing.
Global Seafood Distributors is located at the West Ruimveldt Industrial Site, where they process local fish. Butters-Grant, a Charlestown, Georgetown native, grew up in the fishing industry as her parents were the owners of several shrimping trawlers.
She migrated to the United States in 1986 after completing her education in Guyana and aimed for higher learning overseas. She gained a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting and Database Management in 1990 from Essex College of Business, and began blazing the trail.
She spent 29 years in the US before making her way back home to establish her business. She had been blazing the trail ever since, proving that her method was different. She cared about the community and the overall development of Guyana.
The business community and President David Granger, who himself is battling cancer, have all expressed their sadness at the passing of Butters-Grant.
(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)