Dr. Damien King the Man: Ten Things You Didn’t Know

Straight talking economist, lecturer and the Co-Executive Director of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), Dr. Damien King will, on January 27th, be inducted into the Campion College Hall of Fame at the Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Known for his critical and in-depth analysis of economy and policy, Dr. King’s body of work is recognized throughout the world. But, how well do you know Dr. Damien King the man?

Here are 10 interesting things we found out about Dr. Damien King, Campion College Alumni’s newest Hall of Fame inductee:

1. Came dead last in his class first term at Campion

Hard to believe, isn’t it? Economist, lecturer and all-round scholar, Dr. King, in his first term at Campion College was placed last out of the 30 students in his class. Epitomizing the notion that it’s not how you start but how you finish, Dr. King would go on to move successfully through Campion coming first in 5th form before pursuing his higher education at New York university.

2. Has a black belt in Taekwondo

Not one to be underestimated, Dr. King has a black belt in the ancient martial arts form Taekwondo, characterized by its head-height kicks and defense techniques. Now standing over 6 feet tall, Dr. King is a very skilled martial artist. This skill might prove a useful one to have as his witty and sarcastic tweets might one day get him in trouble.

On the topic of bravery or madness (depending on how you look at it), Dr. King has done what many of us have dreamt of doing but cannot find the guts to do. Probably one of the most heart-racing, pulse-beating thing he has ever done, Dr. King successfully jumped from an airplane at 13,000 feet.  

4. Played in a steel band

Hidden among his many skills, talents and accomplishments is the fact that Dr. King is also very musically inclined, playing the steel pan very well.

5. Played cricket for Campion

An avid cricket fan, Dr. King was also a member of the sport, playing cricket during his years at Campion College. Coupled with his taekwondo skills and his competitive spirit, it is no stretch of the imagination to picture him being good at it.

6. Started out at university studying advertising

It is hard to think of Dr. King as anything but the straight talking analytical economist and lecturer that he is today, but interestingly, he started out in university studying advertising, before finding his true passion and switching to economics. No doubt, however, that, had he stuck with advertising, he would still have been good at it.  

7. Enjoys interior decorating

With skills such as playing steel pan and cricket and mastering the ancient art of taekwondo, it is a bit of a stretch to picture Dr. King being interested in interior decorating, but he is. Listing it among his passions, Dr. King is very fond of interior decorating, approaching it with the same keen detail orientation as he does everything else.

8. Was bitten by a sea lion in the Galápagos

While trudging through the Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, Dr King had a close call with an irritated sea lion during which he was bitten. This, however, has done little to dampen his adventurous nature and is ready to embark on his next adventure.

9. Has had his phone tapped by at least two governments

Without naming names, Dr. King disclosed that his phone was tapped by, not one, but two different government bodies. Not known for sparing punches, he is oftentimes in the spotlight for his critical and sometimes brutal analysis of Government policies. Could this be why his phone was tapped? We’ll never know.

10. Was arrested in Russia

A story to tell his grandchildren, on a trip to Russia, King was arrested but was soon after released. While not disclosing why he was arrested, it must have been an interesting experience.