Chicago native George McDougall has made Puerto Rico his home since 1971. He’s been a San Juan Star political columnist; a newscaster on WBMJ and WOSO radio, as well as on cable television; and a communication aide to the Governor of Puerto Rico throughout the 16 years during which Carlos Romero-Barceló and Pedro Rosselló held that post. In addition, he was elected four times to a seat on the San Juan Municipal Assembly, where he served from 1981 to 1997.

An honors graduate of Massachusetts’ Amherst College, which awarded him its Medal for Eminent Service in 1989, George is also a Vietnam veteran: he was an officer aboard the Navy’s guided missile heavy cruiser USS BOSTON, which introduced him to the United States’ Island of Enchantment in 1965. As a free-lance writer on Puerto Rico issues, he has had commentary articles published in such prominent periodicals as The New York Times and Newsweek.

Mr. McDougall and his wife Loida are the parents of two Puerto Ricans.