Many people who know Mr. Donald L. Hunter, are suprised to learn he only began his tenure in Bermuda a mere seven years ago.

He's about to leave the Island for the mountains of Georgia, retiring as president and chief executive officer of both the Bermuda Aviation Services Ltd. (BAS) and Aircraft Services of Bermuda (ASB) at the relatively young age of 51.

It's unlikely that he will while away his years in obscurity. He has throughout his entire career been a leader in almost endeavour.

He joked: "My plans are to become a house-husband. I told my wife that I've supported her for 30 years and now I'm going to send her out to support me.'' He has a heart condition that in September forced him away from a 75-80-hour work week. It took four warnings (his fourth heart attack).

The admittedly stubborn Christian man said: "You shouldn't tempt God. But I guess if anyone has, its been me.'' His first heart attack occurred while he was in the Georgia mountains. He personally drove 44-miles down the mountain to the hospital.

"I didn't trust the paramedics driving under those conditions.'' He underwent surgery, but failed to slow down. His next attack was in January 1990, followed by a third one on March 23, 1992, when he was sitting in his car at a traffic light near the Hamilton Post Office. He had no desire to see a doctor but picked up his cellular 'phone and called his secretary.

A doctor later had him in the intensive care unit for the better part of a week.

"After that I was told that I couldn't continue. But as regards my health, I don't always listen well.'' His fourth attack occurred last September, five days before his birthday. He didn't want to miss the party his wife, Judy, was planning. After days of concern, she finally convinced him to seek medical attention one day before his birthday.

Later, in a Boston hospital, he was told the attack occurred between two chambers of the heart. He was told that if a person was going to have a heart attack, that was the best place for it to happen.

He admits to being lucky.

"I consider myself to be stubborn and bull-headed,'' he said. "But I will listen to anything you have to say, if you can show me, or explain to me why your way is better.

"It doesn't bother me to admit I'm wrong.

The Royal Gazette was this week able to sneak a peek at a voluminous stack of letters on his desk from officials here and abroad, that indicated how much he is respected in his chosen career around airports and airline services, and how much he will be missed.

Congratulatory letters from well-wishers are still coming in to his office, although he is set to leave his desk for the last time in less than a week, on March 31. They number at least 30.

When asked about what he has done at ASB/BAS, he immediately starts talking about the growth and development of Bermudians at the company.

Chairman Mr. Neville Conyers said: "Don Hunter has done a superb job at turning the company around and making it leaner and meaner.

"He's done a great job.'' He's valued enough by the company that he has been asked to remain on the BAS/ASB board of directors, and, as a consultant to the company, be available to the board at their discretion. He would be valuable alone for the contacts he has in, and knowledge of, the industry, worldwide.

He has been, and in some cases still is, a member of of a variety of international airport and airline associations.

Oblivious to that glowing recommendation, Mr. Hunter had this to say about the chairman and directors. "I have never worked for a group of people who were as honest and fair to work for. I've had nothing but support and encouragement. There was concern over my illness.

"They even got mad at me when I would show up for work, instead of staying at home, as the doctor had ordered me to do.'' He joined the company in 1987. He arrived on the Island to operate the catering kitchen and train a Bermudian. By 1989 he had become general manager and CEO of BAS and CEO of ASB. He improved the company's bottom line and service to customers.

But his version is this: "The people who work here have brought about the changes. The management and staff have made my tour of duty easy. It is they who have made the company what it is.

"I'm no more important than the pot-washer. And if you don't think that's true, then ask the chef who he'd prefer to call in sick.'' By 1990 he was CEO and managing director of both companies. He has nothing but praise for his successor, Bermudian Mr. Eugene Bean, and for many others who he named.

He conceded: "There was no accountability when I came here. But now every manager has responsibility for their department. They have to answer for their department, financially and discipline-wise. Oh, there have been some casualties. But it is no longer a them and us situation.

"Now 60 percent of the more than 200 employees are shareholders.'' Donald L. Hunter was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and educated at Union University and Memphis State University, majoring in religion and philosophy.

Even as a young man, he believed in training.

At 16, he had already begun his foray into the business world, working in the airline service industry with Dobbs International. After graduating from university, he would still return to college three more times to three separate institutions. One wonders where he found the time.

At age 26 he was general manager of the Dobbs Chicago operations at both O'Hare airport (the world's largest) and Midway airport. From there he became General Manager at Dobbs International in-flight operations at Detroit International, and moved to Atlanta in 1980 as general manager and project manager for the development of the Midfield concession complexes of the new Atlanta Hartsfield airport.

At age 41, after 25 years with Dobbs, he retired in June 1984 and began a new career in the North Georgia mountains as a park ranger for the State of Georgia. Later returned to the catering business as director of campus services for Truett McConnell, a small Christian college in the same area.

During all of this, he was a member of the National Restaurant Association, Royal Order of Eagles, vice-president of the O'Hare Airport Airlines Association, and at different times, the president, chaplain and programme chairman of the civic-minded Civiatan Club in Georgia.

He was active in the Southern Baptist church, as Deacon and member of the executive council, and served in other capacities.

Here in Bermuda, he has served on the Governor's Security Committee of the Airport, and with a number of other committees, too numerous to mention.

He is also associated with a number of clubs here and overseas.

Somehow he also finds time to hunt, fish and cook, being a celebrated chef and decorated gourmet.

RETIRING -- Bermuda Aviation Services president Mr. Donald Hunter retires at the end of the month.