Jamaica appoints Oliver Mair as next consul general in New York

Jamaica has appointed Roderick "Oliver" Mair as its next consul general in New York, succeeding the late Alsion Roach Wilson and taking charge of the country's largest overseas consular jurisdiction.

The announcement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who said Mair's more than seven years of leadership as consul general in Miami had prepared him to lead the New York Consulate General, which serves Jamaica's largest overseas population across 33 U.S. states.

"New York is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Jamaican communities in the world. As consul general in Miami, Oliver Mair has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build relationships, inspire confidence and mobilise support for Jamaica," Johnson Smith said.

"His record of service in Southern Florida reflects a commitment to our nationals, meaningful engagement with the diaspora and practical partnerships that have delivered real benefits for both Jamaicans at home and abroad. I am therefore confident that he will bring the same energy, innovation and dedication to our Consulate General in New York," she added.

Mair will also hold concurrent accreditation to Bermuda and Puerto Rico in his new role.

He assumes the position after serving more than seven years as consul general in Miami, where he oversaw a 13-state jurisdiction and led initiatives focused on diaspora engagement, trade and investment promotion, health and education partnerships, and improvements to consular services.

During his tenure, Mair also served as dean of the South Florida Caribbean Consular Corps since 2022 and deputy dean of the South Florida Consular Corps since 2025.

Among his signature initiatives was the creation of the annual Jamaica Hi-5 Reggae Run/Walk, which has grown into one of South Florida's flagship Jamaican diaspora events. The event promotes healthy lifestyles while raising funds for Jamaica's healthcare sector through the Ministry of Health and Wellness' Adopt-a-Clinic Programme. The initiative has helped make Jamaica's southern region the programme's largest contributor, supporting the adoption of 17 rural health facilities, including six funded directly through proceeds from the annual run.

Following Hurricane Melissa, Mair also coordinated relief efforts through the Consulate General in Miami, working alongside diaspora organisations, humanitarian partners and community volunteers to support recovery efforts in Jamaica.

Mair holds a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Management Studies and English Literature from The University of the West Indies. He also completed the General Management Programme at Harvard Business School and received an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of Fort Lauderdale.

He succeeds the late Alsion Roach Wilson, who died in late 2025, and is expected to assume office in the coming weeks.