What is your assessment of your activity as Consul of the United States of America (USA) in the Azores?
It is an honor to be in the oldest continuously operating consulate in the world and to have such an experienced staff. I feel that Azoreans are very similar to Americans, not only because of the distance between us, but also because of family connections.
What work have you been doing as the representative of the US Government in the Region?
I've been working with the Fulbright Program (which offers exchange opportunities for professors, researchers, and students) and I've been surprised by the increase in the number of American applicants who want to study here in the Azores. Last month I participated in the selection process and we have already selected two American students that will study in the Azores.
Do you notice that there are more and more North Americans interested in the Azores?
In 2021 the Azores received 18,656 American tourists. Last year we tripled that number to 58,932 American tourists. It is an impressive number.
I also read that American citizens are the ones who most look for houses to buy and rent here. I have received many official visitors, but also family members and, for example, my cousin after visiting us said he would also like to live in the Azores and even looked for a house. We also have Americans who decide to work in the Azores, as digital nomads.The Azores are a paradise.
How do you see the future of the US relationship with the Azores?
I think that the US relationship with the Azores will always be important, not only because of the geostrategic position, but also because we share many values. The United States and the Azores have a common history, but also a future.
I am always thinking about opportunities for American companies in the Azores, as well as bringing them to visit the region and develop connections.
Recently we received in Ponta Delgada a visit from Sagres' sister ship, the Cutter Eagle of the U.S. Coast Guard, which is the largest sailing ship and the only active square-rigger of the U.S. government.
There are also other areas where we can work together. Colleagues in Lajes have told me that 1.5 lives are saved at sea every day in a cooperative effort between Portugal and the US in search and rescue operations and medical evacuations.
There is a lot we can do together and the good news is that we are going to receive another American officer in the Ponta Delgada Consulate, reinforcing our presence here in the Azores. This officer will arrive in the fall, before the meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission between Portugal and the United States of America that will be held in the Azores. This reinforcement shows that this consulate is not only important historically, but also in the future.
The war in Ukraine has brought greater importance to the region where the US has a military base?
The importance of the Lajes Base will not change, it will continue to be very important. When I am in Lisbon I always say that, although I am an American diplomat, I live here and I want it to be recognized that the Azores received more than 200 Ukrainian refugees. As such we have to work together and be allies in this war. And I know that we will remain allies and that the officers in Lajes will continue to work together with the Portuguese Air Force.
How has the relationship been with the local community?
I think it's very strong. My family and I are integrating very well. I've already visited five islands, but I've noticed that there are also many Azoreans living in the US.
So in the next two weeks I will be in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where I will take the opportunity to visit the Whaling Museum and talk to a group of Massachusetts state senators who have already been to the Azores. I am trying to better understand the diaspora community in the US.
People here tell me that everyone is related to New Bedford, but I had never heard of New Bedford before. However, I discovered in conversation with my father that I too have a relative who worked with Azoreans during the whaling era in New Bedford. So I also ended up having a relationship with the Azores. Maybe that is why I feel so at home here.
