Gordon Shirley was appointed to the Board of GraceKennedy Limited in 1996. In 2004, he was appointed Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States of America, as well as its Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States. 

Gordon Shirley began his career at Alcan Jamaica Limited (a subsidiary of Alcan Aluminum Co. Ltd.) where he worked as Senior Mechanical Engineer from 1977 to 1982.  He served as Assistant Professor of Operations Management at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, serving as Head of the Department of Management Studies from 1992 until 1997.

He currently wears many hats at the UWI including Carlton Alexander Professor of Management (on leave); Executive Director, Mona School of Business; and Academic Director of the Master of Science Programme in Computer-Based Management Information Systems.

He also serves as Chairman, National Insurance Fund ( largest pension fund in the island, and a member of the Board of Directors of Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd. ( a subsidiary of Mirant Corporation).

Professor Shirley attended the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, from 1974 to 1977 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (first class honours) in Mechanical Engineering.  He went on to Harvard University where he obtained a Masters in Business Administration in Operations and Finance (with honours) in 1984.  Three years later, he completed his Doctorate in Business Administration, Operations Management, at the same university.