William C. Eacho went to college planning to study international relations.
However, he ended up with a political science and economics education. Later,
he earned a master's degree in business administration, and then went on to
pursue a business career. During his business career, he served as chairman
of companies. Most recently, he worked as CEO of a private investment firm.
Then, after helping President Obama raise money for his presidential campaign,
Eacho was appointed U.S. ambassador to Austria.
"Frankly, the offer, in my mind, came out of the blue. I wasn't expecting
it at all," says Eacho, who is considered a "political appointee."
About one-third of ambassadors are appointed through their political connections.
"It's rather funny, and it's almost ironic how it's kind of circled around...,"
adds Eacho. "I love to travel, and so I've always traveled to new countries
every year - traveled on business and traveled with my family. And then this
opportunity came up to go work overseas, which is something that I always
wanted to do."
The job has gone beyond Eacho's expectations. "Being an ambassador
is the best job in the world," he says. "You cannot imagine a better job."
Eacho's days begin with a press briefing. His staff brings him up to speed
on what's happening in the news, and what's being said about the United States.
After that, he often meets with a political leader of the country or another
ambassador in town.
"I think, the more time I spend with them... the better relationship you
have, and the more you can be frank with one another... and understand one
another's perspectives," he says. "I think we're making good progress on each
of those fronts."
The job does not come without its challenges. As a former businessman,
Eacho was used to being very direct. As a diplomat, he needs to be more cautious
in his communication. "I'm a pretty candid guy," Eacho admits, "so that doesn't
come naturally to me."
The language has also been a challenge for Eacho. "For the most part, I
benefit from the fact that almost everyone here speaks wonderful English,"
he says. "That said, I wish I'd had more time to learn German before I came."
Being away from home also has its downsides. Eacho misses his friends and
certain things about the U.S. "My son will tell you that what he misses the
most is Chipotle [a Mexican restaurant]," says Eacho with a laugh.
Privacy is a challenge for Heather Hodges, U.S. ambassador to Ecuador.
"Here in Ecuador, I have bodyguards," says Hodges. "And no matter where
I go, people know that I'm there. My bodyguards try to be unobtrusive, but
still, it's just clear that it's the American ambassador showing up."
In Ecuador, the U.S. ambassador is something of a celebrity. And Hodges
finds that her position often opens doors for her and brings special privileges.
For instance, she gets great seats at the theater and special tours at museums.
During a trip to the Galapagos Islands -- the islands off Ecuador -- Hodges
visited the giant turtles that are nearing extinction.
"There's one whose name is Lonesome George," says Hodges. "Lonesome George
has a pen, and there are two other female tortoises that are also in the pen.
Well, if you're an ordinary visitor, you'd be seeing this from a bridge above.
But when I went, they brought me into the pen. I got fairly close to Lonesome
George."
Hodges is a career foreign service ambassador. She worked her way up through
the ranks of the U.S. Department of State. Before serving as U.S. ambassador
to Ecuador, she was principal deputy assistant secretary in the office of
the director general. She also served as U.S. ambassador to Moldova, a small
country in Eastern Europe.
During her 30-year career with the foreign service, Hodges has moved around
every two or three years.
"A hard thing about the foreign service is that you get to know people,
and you have to sort of delete all of that knowledge when you go on to another
country," she says. "And it is hard, starting all over again and getting to
know people."
Remembering names and learning everything about a new country can also
be very difficult.
"One time I was at a dinner, and I was introduced to a gentleman who was
very pleasant, and everybody said, 'Oh, you have to get to know him. He has
lovely photographs of [the big volcano in Ecuador].'
"I just quipped back to him, 'Oh, I've got some nice pictures, too.'
"And he sort of looked at me and he said very low-key, 'Well, not like
mine.'"
Hodges later discovered that this man is Ecuador's best known photographer.
He's also world renowned -- having shot covers for National Geographic Magazine.
"I thought, 'Oh dear, I'm telling him that I've got good pictures!'" Hodges
says with a laugh. "I was very embarrassed afterwards, and I sent him a nice
e-mail to say, 'Obviously, I didn't realize who you were!'"
The position of ambassador is a tremendous responsibility. And it can be
especially hard when the country does not agree with U.S. policies. "Sometimes
it is a challenge to convince the host country authorities to cooperate, to
work with us on issues of interest," says Hodges.
Despite the challenges, Hodges finds it an honor to represent Americans.
"It's a very special privilege," she says. "And I think all foreign service
officers feel that way."
Before David Hutton became an ambassador, he lived and worked in countries
around the world, including Indonesia, England, Sweden and Jamaica. Then,
after nearly 30 years with the Canadian foreign service, he was appointed
Canadian ambassador to Greece. Four years later, he served as ambassador to
the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"You're constantly having to adapt and learn, to change cultures and countries
every [few] years," says Hutton of the foreign service. "It's obviously a
challenge for your family... who has to adapt to different schools and different
environments. But... we found these challenges strengthened all of us, and
quite honestly, were deeply enriched by them."
The UAE was Hutton's final posting before he retired, and he found the
experience extremely positive.
"I was fascinated by their rich history," he says. "I was privileged to
have an opportunity to live in a Muslim society and deepen my own understanding
of that rich culture and religion."
Building on and improving relationships with UAE leaders was a priority
for Hutton.
"There was a much higher awareness of Canada in the UAE when I left. I'm
not directly responsible for any of this, but I did have my hand in all that
was happening. So, collectively, when I left, our relationships were better
than when I arrived. That's a very satisfying feeling."
Besides meeting with UAE leaders, Hutton managed embassy employees and
provided information to other government departments. He also hosted cocktail
parties and entertained business people.
"It was remarkably varied, and it would go from the political to the economic
to the administrative to the cultural to the educational," says Hutton. "That,
for me, was one of the exciting attractions of this career -- that every day
was very varied."