Deputy U.S. Permanent Representative

Lawrence J. Gumbiner, Deputy U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).

Lawrence J. Gumbiner

Lawrence J. Gumbiner assumed duties as Deputy U.S. Permanent Representative at the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States on November 19, 2012.  He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, having joined the Department of State in 1988. 

From 2010-12 Mr. Gumbiner served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), coordinating the U.S. Government’s preparation for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20).  He managed a team of more than 50 foreign affairs professionals and programs in the areas of sustainable development, conservation, science & technology cooperation, and international space policy.

From 2006-2009 Mr. Gumbiner was Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, serving as chief advisor to the Ambassador on trade, finance and environmental matters.  From 2004-2005 he was Deputy Director for Regional Economic Affairs in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

Mr. Gumbiner served as Environment, Science & Technology Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel from 2001-2004.  Between1997-2001, he established and led the U.S. Government’s first Environmental Hub for Central America and the Caribbean, located at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica.  Other postings include Deputy Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy Managua, and Mercosur Liaison in the State Department’s Office of Brazil and Southern Cone Affairs.

Mr. Gumbiner holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Davis, and a JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.  He is licensed to practice law in the State of California.