Jeanette W. Hyde served the United States as Ambassador to the seven Eastern Caribbean countries of Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antiqua, Grenada, and St. Kitts-Nevis from 1994-1998.  During this time she was widely recognized for her tireless commitment to both the United States and the Caribbean counties she served and her effectiveness as Ambassador.

A native of North Carolina, Ambassador Hyde's educational background includes Wake Forest University and Delta State University, B.S., '62, graduate studies in family counseling at the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, and Greek studies at the University of Maryland. During the 1960's, she taught school on the Greek Island of Crete for two years before going into social work and counseling with the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Raleigh business woman started her own retail stores in 1971 in Fayetteville, N.C. This was followed by joint ventures that include two national restaurant chains, commercial real estate and development, and various private investments. In 1987 she and business associates founded Triangle Bank and Trust of Raleigh. Serving on Triangle's Board of Directors for six years, she also served on the North Carolina International Trade Commission, the North Carolina Board of Transportation, and the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority. Currently she chairs the Young Americas Business Trust, a hemispheric initiative of the Organization of American States, Washington, DC to promote young entrepreneur development in the Americas.

For more than three decades, Mrs. Hyde has been recognized for her efforts on behalf of civic, charitable, academic and political affairs. Currently she serves on the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees, the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work Board, the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships Board, the Triangle World Affairs Council and the N.C. Community Foundation

In addition, she is a member of the boards of the Wake County Communities and Schools, the Methodist Home for Children, the J.C. Raulston Arboretum of N.C. State University, and a member of the Council of American Ambassadors,-Washington, D.C. Former board service includes the N.C. Child Advocacy Institute and Outward Bound of N.C., as well as the Wake County YWCA, the Council on Aging, the Wake County Board of Social Work, the Raleigh Alzheimer's Board and the Raleigh Violence Prevention Council.

Awards presented to Mrs. Hyde include Wake Forest University Distinguished Alumnus, 1995; Delta State University Distinguished Alumnus, 1999; Triangle World Affairs Council's Distinguished Citizen for Public Service, 1998; International Visitors Council's Citizen of the World Award, 1998, and YWCA Academy of Women's Outstanding Woman in Public Service, 1994. In 1996 the United States Coast Guard presented her its highest civilian award for public service for her treaty work in the area of drug trafficking interdiction; and in 1997 the U.S. Department of Defense, the U. S. Department of Justice and the U. S. Drug Enforcement Agency distinguished her with Civilian Service Awards.

Jeannette Hyde is married to Wallace Hyde, a semi-retired insurance executive. Both are well-known in state and national politics. They reside in Raleigh, NC and Sarasota, Florida.