Howie out, Luta in as SVG Consul General to US

Rondy “Luta” McIntosh has been appointed Consul General to the United States following the recall of Howie Prince, whose last day on the job is July 31.
In a statement released on July 12, Prince said his recall “essentially signals” his full retirement from the Public Service after 44 years of service. Before entering the diplomatic corps, he had worked as a teacher, programme producer, marketing manager and director of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO). He also served at one time as Chair of the Carnival Development Corporation.

“I extend my thanks to Prime Minister, Dr Hon. Ralph E Gonsalves and his Cabinet for the confidence placed in me to hold such prestigious positions over the last 20 years. I also extend hearty thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for cordial and professional relationship during my five years and 10 months tenure as Consul General,” Prince said in the statement.

He said his stint in the United States as Consul General was made “so much easier due to the respectful outreach and partnerships of many organizations and individuals in NYC and throughout the USA …. Much appreciation to you as you continue to contribute in so many tangible ways to the development of our beloved country. Please continue to rally around the Consulate and the new Consul General.”

Prince also thanked the staffs at the Consulate in NY and the Embassy in Washington DC for their “hard work and continuous support in ensuring the effective functioning of the Consulate”.

The Consul General ended the statement by expressing appreciation to his family for their “various sacrifices” and for their support.

McIntosh, who takes up his new post on August 1, is best known among Vincentians as a Soca artiste who sings under the sobriquet “Luta”. An energetic performer, McIntosh also promotes himself on the Soca scene as “The Crowd Motivator”. Some of his more popular hits are “Tight Spot”, “Busy Tone”, “We Out Here”, “Throw Bad Mind”, “Charlie Charlie” and “Leh Go Thing”, which won the Road March in 2019.

SEARCHLIGHT has confirmed that McIntosh resigned from his post as Sales Manager at the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) on July 9, in order to take up his new post in New York City.

McIntosh however declined to comment when SEARCHLIGHT reached out to him yesterday. He said he preferred to wait until his appointment had been officially announced by the Government.

Prior to working as Sales Manager at NBC Radio, McIntosh had been an account manager at Cable and Wireless for 17 years and worked in sales at Courts (St Vincent) Limited for four years.