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For that very reason, having a strong Deputy at the Consulate is absolutely a key success factor, both for the Post and for the Consul General. I was fortunate in that I was able to have a hand in the selection of our Deputy Principal Officer back in 2006.

Matthew Johnson, a career foreign service officer with deep management experience, has proven to be an excellent Chief Operating Officer. We use the COO term deliberately, because that is precisely the role that Matt and I agreed he would take. His ability to focus on internal issues such as ensuring the quality and timely submission of the numerous reports that must be generated for Main State, overseeing finance and accounting procedures and sorting through the usual HR issues have all allowed me to focus on important external issues. To be sure, Matt has taken on one or two vital external issues (such as coordinating our emergency readiness preparations both internally and with all key Government of Bermuda ministries). But 80 percent of his time is devoted to ensuring the Consulate is running as efficiently and effectively as possible—freeing me up to spend most of my time focusing on external US-Bermuda issues.

However, in this age of 24/7 media, doing good is not enough. Pro-actively working with all types of local media is absolutely critical to reinforce America's interest in and concern for Bermuda. We try to take advantage of every positive media opportunity to reinforce our key message: "America is a strong partner that cares about Bermuda." Whether it is op-eds to The Royal Gazette on July 4, 9/11 or Thanksgiving, or TV news interviews on the hot topic of the day – it falls to the US Consul General to get America's message across in a humble, interesting and compelling way.

But by no means should the CG be doing this on her/his own. A strong press affairs office (PAO) is critical to this effort. The US Consulate had never had a PAO before – and it desperately needed a good one. Setting it up quickly, staffing it with one of our best people and devoting large amounts of my own time to helping the PAO get off to a strong start – all of this proved critical. Getting other US officers into the press mix is also very important. For example, our Senior Consul Margaret Pride now hosts a monthly radio programme on one of Bermuda's favourite radio stations called "Ask the Consulate." It has become one of the most popular call-in radio programmes in Bermuda, helping to further expand our communication platform with average Bermudians.

Net-net: It is incumbent upon the US Consul General to be the sparkplug of improving US-Bermuda relations. He/she alone has the time and ability to focus intensively on all of the key drivers of the relationship. He/she will have the widest range of key contacts in both the US and Bermuda to enable the partnership to move forward in critical areas. And he/she has the team – as long as they are well chosen and well managed – to help make this happen. After all, this is one of the Consul General's most important duties while he/she is here. It is one that he/she must take on with all the energy, wisdom and courage possible.

Why is the Premier of Bermuda key to improving US-Bermuda relations?

The Premier of Bermuda must be deeply involved in improving US-Bermuda relations because there is simply no more important partner for Bermuda than the United States. Good relations with the US are critical to Bermuda's economic health (both in terms of international business and tourism) as well as many other key areas (health care, education, etc). Thankfully, former Premier Alex Scott and current Premier Dr. Ewart Brown have been strong partners over the past three years in making excellent US-Bermuda relations a top priority. Fortunately, their Cabinet Ministers and PLP colleagues have proven to be strong partners as well.

I would like to publicly thank both Premier Scott and Premier Brown for their unflagging commitment to moving the US-Bermuda partnership forward. Their leadership for better US-Bermuda relations has made all the difference. Premier Brown's tenure has paralleled most of mine – and we have worked together very closely on a wide range of issues. For his partnership and leadership in furthering US-Bermuda relations, we are grateful. I'd also like to thank the Leaders of the Opposition party, the UBP, with whom we have worked over the past three-plus years. Dr. Grant Gibbons, Wayne Furbert, Michael Dunkley and Kim Swan have each put a positive priority on US-Bermuda relations—and for that, we are thankful. No matter what political party holds power in Bermuda in the future, the US is going to be the Island's predominate source of imports, tourists and financial capital for many years to come. As Roger Crombie observes in Chapter 10: "When America sneezes, Bermuda catches cold." Time spent by all of Bermuda's political leaders to improve and expand the US-Bermuda partnership will only benefit the people of Bermuda.

Why is the Governor of Bermuda key to improved US-Bermuda relations?

The United Kingdom's Governor to Bermuda is in a very special situation. As the official Head of State, he/she is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of the British Prime Minister. According to Bermuda's 1968 Constitution, the Governor is responsible for external affairs, the defence of the Island, internal security and the police. Of course, all diplomatic treaties binding Bermuda must be approved by the UK. The Governor has many other important, yet semi-ceremonial, roles as well, including the calling of elections upon the Premier's request and the swearing in of a new government. Government House is still a cornerstone of Bermuda's political framework and the UK Governor plays a key role in Bermuda's public affairs and governance.

I have been honoured to work with two Governors during my tenure: Sir John Vereker and Sir Richard Gozney. Each was always a strong and dependable partner for better US-Bermuda relations. However, it must be noted the Governor has a very small direct staff – much smaller than that of the Consulate – and many responsibilities that do not touch on the United States in any way. So it falls to the Consul General to initiate and maintain a positive, rich dialogue with Government House, and not only with the Governor, but also with the Deputy Governor (usually handled by the Consulate's second in command).

What role do the leaders of the local and international business community have in improving US-Bermuda relations?

Local and international business leaders in Bermuda are vital to improved US-Bermuda relations because they, their employees, their supplies, their partners and their shareholders all stand to benefit directly. Each and every business leader in Bermuda is a natural ally in this effort, because all of them understand the health of their businesses depend, to a significant extent, on the strength of the US-Bermuda alliance. But CEOs and business leaders, like the Premier and Governor, are extremely busy. Enlisting their general support, and their active partnership in key projects, is the job of the Consul General. The good news is that most Bermudian business leaders have strong ties to the US, and the large majority understands the importance of strong US-Bermuda relations to businesses.

But CEOs and other senior business leaders cannot make this their first priority. They will join what they perceive to be a well-planned, industry-wide effort, as long as what is asked of them is sensible. Enlisting their general support and partnering with them strategically in key areas – that is the job of the Consul General.

Final thoughts

No one knows what the future holds for US-Bermuda relations. But we do know we share 400 years of mostly positive history, a strong set of cultural values, a common legal tradition, a vibrant economic interchange and the English language—all very important assets. Yet even within the past decade, US-Bermuda relations have ebbed and flowed, sometimes to lower levels than anyone thought possible. It is up to all of us, political, diplomatic, social and economic leaders, to do what we can to maintain and improve US-Bermuda relations. But the primary responsibility will fall directly on two individuals—and the teams that support them: the Premier of Bermuda and the United States Consul General to Bermuda. May they work together tirelessly, and with mutual understanding and empathy, to ensure our countries share a close and mutually beneficial partnership for the next 400 years as well.

The Honourable Gregory W. Slayton has been the US Consul General to Bermuda since 2005. He was recently honoured as one of the "Five Most Influential People in Bermuda" in a 2008 Royal Gazette ranking.