Rafael A. Perez

Rafael A. Perez is the Principal Officer to the Azores in Ponta Delgada.  He arrived in Ponta Delgada in April 2010 serving initially as the Consular Section Chief.

Mr. Perez joined the U.S. Foreign Service in March 2002.  Prior to taking up his duties in Ponta Delgada, Mr. Perez was the Consular Section Chief in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2007-2009), the Assistant Public Affairs Officer in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (2005-2007), and a Consular Officer in Mexico City, Mexico (2002-2004).  In addition, Mr. Perez served as a U.S. State Department Intern in Islamabad, Pakistan (Summer 2000) and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea-Bissau (1997-1998).

Mr. Perez is the recipient of three U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Awards.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Language and Area Studies: Spanish/Latin America from the School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC and a Master’s Degree in International Administration from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver.

Mr. Perez was raised in Jacksonville, Florida.  He is married to Ms. Masha Gritsenko and they have two children.