By ALEXANDER WOODMAN
The U.S. Consulate in Dhahran opened in 1944; however, the first female Consul General was appointed six decades later. How does it feel to be the first female Consul General?
When I left Saudi Arabia the first time after serving at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, I really wanted to come back. I wanted to learn more about the Eastern Province and energy. It was not until I spoke with the Consul General who was here at the time, that I learned that the State Department was looking for the first woman for the position. I did not want the job because I wanted to be the first woman, I wanted the job so that I could learn about energy, Aramco, what was happening in the Eastern Province and the connections between the United States and the Kingdom since 1933. I often thought about what was happening in the Eastern Province, as well as its value not only to Saudi Arabia but for the entire world, and then I got the benefit of being the first woman. It was a surprise. It was a lot of pressure. I am one of those people who tends to do well from pressure as it brings my mind to bear on what I need to get done.
I arrived in Dhahran in August 2017, shortly before the celebration of Eid al-Adha. As early as my initial arrival, I was lucky to meet amazing and hospitable people. I was delighted that Prince Saud bin Nayef, the Governor of the Eastern Province, welcomed my family into the Eastern Province. He encouraged us to feel at home, to become familiar with the Province, and for me to help my family settle in and enjoy our new surroundings. I have continued to meet as many people as I could on various occasions, and the Saudis have welcomed me into their homes and shared their food and traditions with my family and me.
Two of the major Saudi companies, Aramco and SABIC, are located in the Eastern Province. What opportunities does this create for Saudis and Americans interested in working at those companies?
The Eastern Province is the “Makkah” of the energy industry. If people want to learn about oil, gas, and chemicals, then this is the place where that can happen. In addition to Aramco, Sadara, and SABIC, many American companies, such as GE and Halliburton, are also here. All of these companies have clear reasons to be in the Eastern Province and invest their money, their workforce, and their ambition to succeed.
I do think that the Eastern Province is going to continue to grow. It will open up new opportunities for the gas and oil industry and many different types of entrepreneurship. With the companies already operating here and working with the well-established universities, the stage is already set for continued success.
I anticipate that many smaller Saudi companies will continue to open their businesses in the Eastern Province, as has happened in Silicon Valley. They will eventually become giants in their industries since the Saudi ecosystem offers many opportunities not only for large companies but also for smaller ones. This allows for the creation of jobs in the energy industry as well as supporting sectors. This is the heart of the economic engine in Saudi Arabia and will remain this way for the foreseeable future.
I understand that you will be leaving the Consulate this summer. What did you learn from the Kingdom and what will you take with you from this beautiful country?
I am lucky enough to be invited to weddings and get to attend both the men’s side and the women’s side and during these times I have noticed something that touches my heart. What I have noticed on both sides of the weddings is that grandchildren really love their grandparents and you can see the connection. One of the things that Saudi grandchildren do with their grandmother or grandfather is they will go up to them, bow down, kiss their hand and forehead. This creates an affection and love between the generations that clearly reminds the younger generation to respect their elders. It reminds me of my parents and grandfather, and how much they taught me. I know that we should never forget to show those feelings of appreciation to our loved ones but to also respect our elder generation and continue to forge a strong bond with the next generation.
I also love the culture of meeting people and getting together on a regular basis to talk about everything. Saudis love talking about politics, the stock market, and even the fruits on sale in the market. Before the restrictions caused by COVID-19, we used to have diwaniyas, gatherings of people who discuss all types of issues, that I enjoyed and am now missing a great deal. Although we are now having virtual diwaniyas, I miss the process of meeting people and spending time with them. In Saudi culture, people can visit each other’s homes and are always welcome. That is probably one of the most important lessons I learned from the Saudis and I hope to bring that tradition home with me.
What would your final words be to the Saudi people?
Thank you for the love. Thank you for the hospitality. Thank you for the support. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for making me smile. Thank you for the amazing food. Thank you for the conversation. Thank you for being you.
U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran
P.O. Box 38955
Dhahran Airport 31942, Saudi Arabia
Contact No: 013 330 3200
Social Media: @USAinDhahran
The author would like to express his sincere gratitude to John Orak, Peter Brown, and Angie Smith for organizing the interview, collaboration, and making this interview possible.
