The Bottom, Saba- On Monday, May 17, International Telecommunications Day, Saba’s telecommunications provider Satel NV, which celebrated its 45^th anniversary, honored its former director and telecommunications pioneer Chester Zagers by naming its main building after him.

Satel befittingly utilized the occasion of International Telecommunications Day and the customer appreciation day for the company’s 45^th anniversary to pay special tribute to Zagers, who worked for the company for almost 40 years and who after his retirement served as chairman on Satel’s supervisory board for another 10 years.

Sonia Johnson of Satel, who acted as the MC during Monday’s event, reflected on Zagers’ tenure in the telecommunications industry. When Zagers started his career in 1959 at the age of 17, technology was far from what it is now, and his duties focused on radio/telephone connection and Morse code. The only direct and consistent communication was with St. Maarten and St. Eustatius.