Experience
A career built on
getting things done.
“People sometimes assume international experience doesn’t apply to local government. I’d push back on that hard. When I ran the Embassy in Caracas, I led a team of 450. about the same size as the Talbot County workforce. That is not a different job. That is the same job in a harder environment.”
The Americas
Sixteen postings. Five continents.
Mexico City
Minister Counselor for Political Affairs; led 100+ staff across the embassy and nine consulates. Helped deliver the Bicentennial Framework; drove a 40% drop in migration.
Ottawa
Acting DCM and Minister Counselor for Political Affairs across the embassy and seven consulates. Negotiated the U.S.–Canada COVID border framework, kept essential commerce moving.
Venezuela
Three tours across three decades. Political Officer, Venezuela Desk Officer, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Caracas. Expelled by Maduro in 2018 for advocating release of an American political prisoner.
Washington
Inside the rooms
where it happens.
Three-time Chief of Staff
Executive Assistant to the Deputy National Security Advisor at the George W. Bush White House (2005–06); to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2011); and to the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (2011–12). Senior staff roles bridging Republican and Democratic administrations.
Western Hemisphere Policy Planning
Managed a $1.5 billion foreign assistance portfolio across 30+ countries (2012–14). Coordinated formulation and implementation of Hemisphere-wide policy regarding counterterrorism, intelligence, human rights, police and security reform, political-military coordination, and other matters.
UN Political Affairs
Director, 11-person team coordinating U.S. positions at the UN Security Council (2009–11).
Recognition
Awards & honors
- ✴Baker Award nominee (Outstanding Deputy Chief of Mission)
- ✴Raphel Award nominee (mentorship)
- ✴Multiple State Department Superior Honor Awards
- ✴Intelligence Community Exceptional Performance Award
Roots
15th-generation American.
Descended from an original Spanish family that arrived in northern New Mexico in 1598. Grew up in Olney, Maryland when it was still rural. Knows what loss of character looks like. Irish on his mother's side; she lives in St. Michaels.
Education
B.S.F.S., Georgetown School of Foreign Service
M.A., Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies