Caretaker of Bacardi's community philosophy - that is how James Amos sums up his role over nearly three decades in the Bermuda-based office of one of the world's largest liquor manufacturers.

The Island was chosen as the firm's global headquarters 36 years ago - after the Bacardi family left Cuba in the early 1960s, following seizure of most of their assets by Fidel Castro's government.

Mr. Amos, a Bermudian, holds the post of vice-president, general administration for Bacardi Limited. But having reached 65 years in October, Mr. Amos will step down from the post on December 21.

Mr. Amos said Bacardi, although a large, international company, is a family-owned firm that believes strongly in giving back to the community. Although his role has included overseeing the physical plant of the local office - and until four years ago human resources - Mr. Amos said the highlight has been his involvement with the company's support of community initiatives.

Mr. Amos added that Bacardi's stakeholders are not Bermudian - being of Cuban descent - and there is no monetary gain for the company in community giving. But, he said, the company does get a satisfaction from giving to the community.

"They have always had a community philosophy - and everything they do is an acknowledgement of being in Bermuda and trying to be a good corporate citizen," Mr. Amos said.

Indeed in 1975, Bacardi's then president, Jose Bosch, who was responsible for the concept behind the present headquarters and who also compiled its extensive art collection, told The Royal Gazette: "We never looked back after our move from Nassau. the company has felt that, as a good citizen, it must invest some of its time and money in helping the community. Only in this way can it achieve the satisfaction of being part of that community and contributing towards the future well-being and stability of Bermuda and its people."

Mr. Amos said the best aspect of the job has been in carrying out this philosophy, which he called as "rewarding" as it is helpful to the local community.

Looking back at his time with Bacardi, Mr. Amos said: "I find myself thinking about what I have become involved with in the more than 28 years with the company, and the sheer diversity of the things done through the years staggers me. But, everything has been a positive. And to see people benefit, that has been the real reward for me," he said.

Although professing a life-long love for sport - Mr. Amos competed in yachting at the 1972 Munich Olympic games and in 1993 was awarded the Government's Special Achievement Award for sports involvement - Mr. Amos said he has been exposed to a wide-spectrum of people and community programmes, through Bacardi.

Mr. Amos cited some of the initiatives Bacardi has supported locally, including renovation of the Commissioner's House at the Maritime Museum, contributions to the Hospital's capital campaign, support of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and numerous art exhibits at the Bacardi headquarters - including sculptor Desmond Fountain's first exhibition, and a 1993 exhibit of recently-deceased Sam Morse Brown's work.

Mr. Amos said it would be impossible to put a price tag on Bacardi's local philanthropic support through the years, although in round figures he put it at in excess of $1 million.

"The support goes beyond money..." Mr. Amos said.

As good corporate citizens, Mr. Amos said the liquor company has a heightened consciousness of its social responsibility.

"We have tried to make people realise that moderation should be used in many areas," Mr. Amos said. He added that Bacardi, some years ago, launched a local campaign promoting moderation and healthy living to underscore its belief in social responsibility .

Long-time supporters of sporting events, both locally and internationally, Mr. Amos said in recent years the company has "moved away from" sponsorship of some sports and some educational initiatives.

The company has now broadened its base of assistance to include both the visual and performing arts - for example with sponsorship of the Bermuda National Gallery Bacardi Biennial - health concerns and other community initiatives.

Mr. Amos said the company has strives "not to get overly commercial" in its community giving. "We want to help, but to help responsibly. And there have been no commercial designs in our association with sport or education."

Mr. Amos said the company, in a strictly corporate sense, helped the Bermuda Track and Field Association in its early years. He added that the company has now distanced itself from some sports - especially those involving youth - and education, including in the past, the donation of computer equipment for educational purposes, as "it was perceived in some quarters as an ulterior motive."

Mr. Amos said reports in the The Royal Gazette some years ago had hit Bacardi "pretty hard on some social aspects."

Mr. Amos said Bacardi, as one of the first international businesses to buy property and build on the Island, has also made a commitment to Bermuda through having its headquarters here, which he said helps to assure Bermuda's long-term success in material terms.

Bacardi's Bermuda staff now number just under 90 people. Mr. Amos added that number had grown from 22 when he first joined the company. The company's initial staffing - in 1965 - was just eight people.

Mr. Amos, who attended Whitney Institute, said he left school early and went to work at 15. He then worked for what is now known as British Airways, ESSO and what was then the National Cash Register Company. He joined Bacardi in 1972.

In retirement, Mr. Amos said he first plans to "take a deep breath," and then look at his next step. He will likely continue his community involvement - which on a personal level has included being on the Board of Saltus Grammar School, and 13 years in the Bermuda Regiment and as former chair of the Youth Advisory Council - and spend more time "out on the water" sailing.

Mr. Amos and his wife Sandra have four children and five grandchildren.