People sometimes wander why there are so many lawyers and business people among honorary consuls. The reason is very practical: they often possess the skills that an appointing foreign government is looking for in its consul.

Honorary consuls come from many other professions. Physicians, travel agents, marketing experts, exporters, investment bankers are among those coming to mind. And, a new one to me: public school teacher.

Recently, France appointed Maxanna Nichols-Lefebvre as its honorary consul in Mobile, Alabama. A public school teacher, she’s now charged with the duties of strengthening the cooperation between France and Mobile in the areas of business, education, and culture. As an educator she’ll no doubt devise a way to reach those lofty goals.