US Consul General Gregory Slayton, who has spearheaded a dramatic improvement in Bermuda-US relations over the past three years, faces an uncertain future.

Mr. Slayton, who organised last week's White House meeting between US president George W. Bush and Premier Ewart Brown, has led bilateral visits to the American capital for three successive years.

As a political appointee of President Bush, there is a high likelihood that he will be replaced, probably within a matter of months of the inauguration of the next president, who will be either Barack Obama or John McCain.

As to whether he would stay in the job much longer, Mr. Slayton said he did not know.

"That comes with the vagaries of being a political appointee," he said. "It depends on who wins the election and what the new president decides to do."

Asked if he would remain in Bermuda beyond next year if offered the chance, Mr. Slayton, a father of four, said: "We have enjoyed Bermuda a great deal.

"Whatever happens, because next year marks Bermuda's 400th anniversary, I'd like to make sure the Island is properly represented. And I know the Premier feels that way too."

The architect of the Bermuda delegation's visit to Washington last week sees this year's round of talks as another chapter in what he hopes will be a long-running story of improving relations between Bermuda and the US.

Mr. Slayton has made a determined effort to re-establish a relationship he believed had been neglected by his predecessors.

Having this week orchestrating the third set of annual bilateral talks in the American capital, the well-connected Mr. Slayton has helped to raise awareness of the role Bermuda's insurance industry, in particular, plays in backing up segments of the US economy.

Aside from participating in the official talks, Mr. Slayton held his own private meetings with lawmakers, informal chats in which "the subject of Bermuda always comes up".

Mr. Slayton, who made his money in "Silicon Valley" and through his own venture capital company, has given financial backing to Republican campaigns, including those of Mr. Bush.

He also wrote an opinion piece on US-Bermuda relations, which was published by The Washington Times last Monday.

"I think these type of meetings are tremendously helpful over time," Mr. Slayton said. "It can't be a one-off. When we started this two years ago, I did not want it to be a one-hit wonder.

"Good policy is made on good information. You can't make good policy if you think Bermuda is a tourist destination with a couple of American bases.

"American leaders on both sides of the aisle are now understanding the strengths and assets that Bermuda brings to America."

Dr. Brown made a point of highlighting Mr. Slayton's efforts when he spoke with Mr. Bush. And his success in bringing the US and Bermuda closer have not gone unnoticed on Capitol Hill.

"Gregory Slayton is the best US representative Bermuda has seen," California Democrat Rep. Diane Watson said. "He has done so much to bring the US and Bermuda communities together.

"He managed to bring goodwill at a time when there was a feeling here in the House (of Representatives) that Bermuda was luring companies offshore because they didn't want to pay US taxes.

"Now we understand that it was the companies seeking Bermuda, not Bermuda seeking them."