Three-time Ambassador with over 35 years of Foreign Service experience. Well regarded leader, negotiator, and mentor with reputation for resilience and problem solving. Trusted to conduct some of our nation’s most sensitive diplomacy providing policy guidance to cabinet level officials and Members of Congress, Established reputation for taking on tough tasks and working with all levels of government, and the private sector to solve problems others would not take on. Extensive Experience in Congressional Outreach. Expert in leading/coordinating interagency efforts especially in Democracy building, Human Rights Protection including Gender and Religious Freedom initiatives, Refugee Programs, International Security issues, Counter-Terrorism programs, Economic Development, Energy development, Global health programs, Building Infrastructure projects, Critical Infrastructure protection.  Extensive experience in Strategic Planning and Budget execution and Program development and oversight. Strong Public Speaking and Briefing skills.

Experience:

Libya External Office (Tunisia,)

US Ambassador, 2015 -2017

Charge’ d’Affaires a.i. (temporary Chief of Mission assignment), 2018-19

Senior USG official responsible for all aspects of US Government engagement with Libya. High profile unique position managing an Embassy in exile consisting of 25 staff based in Tunisia and Germany. 

• Served as the Senior US negotiator with all involved Libyan parties to the Libyan Political Agreement to encourage peaceful resolution.

• Essential Coordination role in the successful US military campaign to rid Libya of ISIS

• Created Libyan Economic Dialogue with officials from all sides to formulate a national budget, discuss monetary policy and reforms, and budget execution.  

• Provided oversight of all US military, Intelligence, and law enforcement efforts.

• Directed development assistance budget of $35MM, maintained cultural and academic exchanges, and encouraged work towards establishing democratic processes and institutions.

• Successfully argued to maintain consistent US policy from the Obama administration to the Trump administration 

Chairman Accountability Review Board (ARB) 2018

Appointed by Secretary Tillerson to Chair the ARB to State Department’s response to the unexplained injuries of US Diplomatic staff at Embassy. The board was comprised of  Senior Intelligence, Medical, Security and Other Senior State Department  Following the acceptance of the findings of the ARB took on new role directed the State Department led task force implementing the ARB’s recommendations  as well coordinating the interagency multidisciplinary effort that included the DOD, HHS, CIA, FBI, DOL, CDC, NIH, the National Laboratories, and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. convened to respond to the unexplained serious injuries of the Havana Embassy staff.

• Directed research priorities and assigned responsibilities. Identified funding streams and evaluated results.

• Developed policy recommendations for future mitigation. 

• Ensured affected staff received the best available care and long-term assistance.

• Interviewed approximately 170 people to investigate State Department’s response to caring for injured staff including evaluation of medical research.

US Ambassador to Nepal, 2012 - 2015

Senior USG official responsible for all aspects of US engagement in Nepal leading a staff of 200 with assistance budget of over 50 million dollars. Drawing on experience gained during two previous assignments in Nepal reaffirmed and expanded US role strengthening Nepal’s nascent Democracy. Expanded US military engagement in Nepal with emphasis on Peacekeeping and Natural Disaster Response Preparations’ 

• Directed US response to Nepal’s April 25, 2015 earthquake. Personally, responsible for 600 US staff and family members and 400 tourists including arrangements for shelter, food, and security while concurrently assisting the government of Nepal in creating its response. 

• Successfully drilled and then implemented plans for responding to largescale earthquake. These efforts resulted in US civilian teams on the ground within 48 hours followed by US military personnel 48 hours later. 

•  Played essential key role in coordinating International Response to Nepal’s earthquake disaster 

• Revitalized programs to dramatically US Embassy strengthen democratic institutions and processes, and initiatives on climate change and refugee resettlement and protection. One direct result of our efforts was the free and fair election in Nepal of 2014.

Assistant Chief of Mission for Assistance, Transition Embassy Baghdad, 2010 - 2012

Served as the second Ambassador responsible for approximately $1 Billion in US assistance and a 1000 staff. Successfully managed he completion of 120 previously unfinished infrastructure projects including the Basra Children’s Cancer Hospital,  Proactively expanded the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial functions including increasing oil output, electricity production and the first ever US Pavilion at a Trade fair in war torn Iraq. Responsible for Embassy refugee operation, the democracy portfolio, and Minority communities in Iraq.

Ambassador to Malawi, 2008 - 2010

Led Mission staff of 150 with a 20-million-dollar budget largely focused on development assistance and HIV AIDS prevention and treatment. Supported institutionalization of Malawi’s newly established democratic institutions and processes.  With the arrival of the Obama administration, reintroduced a US led Family Planning program to address population pressure and resultant food insecurity - including raising funding from PEPFAR and USAID. Increased outreach to Muslim community that led to Embassy’s sponsored facilitation of Interfaith dialogue among all religious faiths. 

Deputy Chief of Mission / Charge’ US Embassy, Islamabad, 2006 - 2008

Served as Chief Operating Officer at a large US diplomatic mission. Conducted some of our nation’ s most sensitive diplomacy.  Coordinated 20 federal agencies and managed 1500 personnel at 4 posts throughout Pakistan providing senior fiduciary and management oversight of funding of hundreds of millions of dollars in military and development assistance.  Oversaw US counter--terrorism efforts in Pakistan including oversight of Intelligence and law enforcement operations. Significant Achievements include, kept our large and active staff safe in a high threat environment, Helped ensure a fair and inclusive election in Pakistan, worked closely with the Government of Pakistan for the return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, Significant engagement with Congress to ensure continued support for US efforts in Pakistan

US Consul General Frankfurt, Germany, 2002 - 2006

Led the world’s largest Consulate General with over 30 federal agencies and 1500 staff and 1000 family members through an extraordinary time as numerous federal overseas operations were consolidated at a new 250-million-dollar facility in Frankfurt. Critical role coordinating and deconflicting USG efforts at this large busy post resulting in increased capacity to provide regional support to over 100 Foreign Service Posts world-wide. Personally, conducted an extensive public outreach effort through German media and other speaking engagements to maintain and enhance the long held positive attitude towards the United States as German public opinion about the war in Iraq became increasingly negative.  Concurrently worked to expand cultural and academic exchanges including a one-time no cost semester long university level exchange program for dislocated Louisiana college students   Worked closed with German Political leaders in 4 German states concerning the US military presence in Germany.  Served as unofficial “Mayor” of a large community dealing issues such as family and substance abuse issues. 

Other State Department positions, including:

• Director, State Department Office of Management Policy, 2000 - 2002

• Assignments in Nepal, Denmark, Bulgaria, Washington, Germany 1981 - 2000

• US International Trade Commission, 1977-1981

Languages:  German

Education: 1976 – BA Political Science, University of Maryland

University of Munich (1974-1975)

Awards:

Secretary’s Distinguished Service award: 2017. 

Department Performance Awards including: Presidential Rank Award, Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, 

Central Intelligence Agency Seal Award. 

Decorated by the Late King Mahendra of Nepal, Gorkha Dassain Bahu Second Class (1998).

Organizations:

American Academy of Diplomacy

American Himalayan Foundation Board of Directors

President Fell’s Point Resident Association

Assorted School Boards and Community Association Boards

Rotary International

City of Baltimore, Police Accountability Review Board

Selected Speaking Engagements and Media:

Foreign Service Institute, Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, University of Rochester Medical School, University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy, Aspen Institute Development Conference, CNN, NPR, VOA, Local Baltimore News Media and  extensive foreign press.