Business View Caribbean | Feb 2019

aged,” Michael continues. “They got the build- ing back up and functioning so we could serve the community. In return, we created a facility where they could take showers here and where they could do laundry. We provided lunch for them, daily, during the first two weeks of all the craziness.” David adds that CTL has always taken its re- sponsibility to its community, seriously. “We’ve given back so much to our community,” he asserts. “We’ve helped churches, various non -profit organizations, the elderly, the youth, teachers, schools; we’ve given to people who were needy.” In fact, over the years, CTL Home Center has been the proud recipient of numer- ous awards, including the 2016 Business of the Year Award from the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association. Well into its second half century of operation, Michael says that a third generation of Thom- ases is waiting in the wings. “David’s daughter works with us and she has a definite interest in carrying the family business forward,” he avers, “so I think CTL will survive past the second generation. The way the company is set up, the family sits on the Board and can make deci- sions about what they want to see happen. And since we’re a small family – my sister and my two brothers – making decisions is relatively easy.” “CTL is a fixture of the community,” Michael 50