Antigua’s national body representing taxi operators, the Antigua National Taxi Association (ANTA), has formally confirmed Gregory Shoy “Driftwood” Athill’s return to the presidency after the organization’s biennial general election held on August 5.
Leading his campaign under the “Dedicated to Excellence” banner, Athill earned a clear, decisive win against competing candidates, locking in a second consecutive term to lead the industry group. He first took office in 2024, when he ran on a platform focused on organizational restructure and cross-member unity. Over his first two-year tenure, Athill prioritized two core goals: shoring up ANTA’s financial standing and strengthening its internal governance structure.
Early results from these efforts have been striking: association data confirms ANTA’s total assets have tripled since Athill took office, alongside notable improvements to both member-facing services and long-term financial stability. Beyond operational and financial reforms, Athill’s administration rolled out ongoing hospitality and customer service training programs for all licensed taxi operators, a initiative designed to elevate the experience of international visitors to Antigua and Barbuda, a key driver of the nation’s economy.
In his post-election acceptance speech, Athill opened by extending gratitude to his executive leadership team and the association’s full membership for the trust they placed in his leadership. He framed the election outcome as more than a personal victory, calling it “a victory for unity, professionalism, and the continued advancement of the Association.”
Athill also singled out the Antiguan government and Prime Minister Gaston Browne for recognition, highlighting the administration’s commitment to allocate land to ANTA through the Ministry of Agriculture— a step he described as a historic milestone for the association that will support its long-term growth. He additionally acknowledged Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for their consistent collaborative partnership with ANTA on industry and tourism development efforts.