Robert Settje Named New U.S. Consul General
A new Consul General to Bermuda — Robert Settje — has been selected to succeed outgoing Consul General Grace W. Shelton. The arrival of Robert Settje, a career diplomat in the United States Foreign Service, will dovetail Ms. Shelton’s departure on August 30, 2012.
Mr. Settje’s previous overseas assignments include Senior Civilian at Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, Afghanistan, Deputy Consular Chief in Naples, Co-Consular Chief in Munich, and Vice Consul-Political/Economic Officer in Santo Domingo.
He has also served in Washington, D.C. as a Regional Consular Officer for embassies and consulates in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and Europe, Career Development Officer, and Legal Advisor to the State Department Visa Office.
Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Settje was a criminal prosecutor in Jefferson County, Colorado, an associate attorney at Holland & Hart in Denver, and a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph Quinn, Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.
Before attending law school, he served as a police officer in Madison, Wisconsin, where, in addition to his patrol duties, he was a training officer and a member of the SWAT Team. He has a J.D. from Harvard and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College. He also did independent study at the Italian University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy.
Mr. Settje is married to Melanie Haroldson Settje and has three adult children, Tasha, Jack, and Nick. He was born and raised in Corona, South Dakota.
Consul General Shelton commented, “It’s been a wonderful three years here in Bermuda, and I’ve enjoyed it all. I’ve made so many friends and developed so many positive professional relationships that it will be hard to say good-bye. But I depart knowing that I leave the Consulate and the U.S.-Bermuda relationship in Bob’s good hands.”
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