Offices
Key Officers
DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION
Philip Kosnett
The Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) manages the day-to-day operations of the Embassy on behalf of the Ambassador, ensuring coordination among the various U.S. agencies represented in furtherance of cooperative and productive relations between the U.S. and the host nation. The DCM acts as advisor to the Ambassador, has special responsibility for the professional development of Embassy personnel, and serves as Charge d'Affaires when the Ambassador is out of the country. See the biography of the current Deputy Chief of Mission here.
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SECTION CHIEF
William Laitinen
The Chief of the Political/Economic Section is responsible for the overall management of the section: analyzing Uzbekistan's internal politics and monitoring democratic development and electoral reform. Political Officers analyze political developments and their potential impact on U.S. interests; promote adoption by the host country of foreign policy decisions that support U.S. interests; and advise U.S. business executives on the local political climate. Economic Officers advise U.S. businesses on the local investment climate and economic trends; negotiate trade and investment agreements to open markets and afford equal access; analyze and report on macroeconomic trends and trade policies and their potential impact on U.S. interests; and promote adoption of economic policies by foreign countries which further U.S. interests.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
Brian Penn
The Public Affairs Officer (PAO) is the public affairs adviser for the U.S. Ambassador and all elements of the Country Team. The PAO oversees the functions of the spokesperson for the Embassy and of the administrator of such official U.S. exchange programs as Fulbright Scholars, Humphrey and Muskie Fellows, and International Visitor participants. The PAO also directs the overseas U.S. Speakers program and supervises international electronic linkages.
CONSUL
Leon Gendin
Whether in a U.S. embassy or a Consulate, the Consul is a diplomat appointed by the U.S. Government to protect its citizens in a foreign country, they are the senior person for all visa issues. Both Consuls and Vice Consuls alike are State Department employees stationed at Diplomatic posts abroad. Consuls are responsible to protect and represent American citizens in all matters overseas. The Consuls also issue visas to foreign nationals who wish to visit the United States and immigrant visas to those who wish to reside there permanently.
MANAGEMENT CHIEF
Warren Hadley
Chief Administrative Officer responsible for normal business operations of the Mission, including overall management of personnel; budget and fiscal matters; real property management of office and residential units; expendable/non-expendable property warehousing, purchasing and disposal; maintenance operations; motor pools; travel and transportation; shipping and customs; Embassy communications, diplomatic mail, and IT programs; and medical services. Also performs diplomatic liaison with other missions and host government on matters pertaining to the foregoing.
REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER
Pamela Maldonado
Federal agents of the Diplomatic Security Service are posted at U.S. Embassies as Regional Security Officers. They serve as the law enforcement liaison between the Embassy and the host government. Regional Security Officers are responsible for providing physical, procedural, and personnel security services to U.S. diplomatic facilities and personnel; they also provide local in-country security briefings and threat assessments to business executives.
DEFENSE ATTACHÉ
Tracy Roou
The primary mission of the Office of the Defense Attaché is to serve as the in-country representative of the Secretary of Defense. The Defense Attaché is the advisor to the Ambassador on all matters regarding defense/military issues and acts as the primary liaison with the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan.
USAID COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE
Erin M. Cole
The USAID Representative is responsible for overseeing a development assistance program focused on improving livelihoods of individuals engaged in agriculture; increasing citizen’s role in governance; reducing deaths due to infectious diseases (e.g., TB, HIV); enhancing Government of Uzbekistan (GOU) responsiveness to transnational crime (e.g., trafficking in persons) and security threats; and expanding opportunities for development cooperation. In addition, assistance focuses on strategies to mitigate potential conflicts around issues such as water and energy. Since 1993, the US Government, primarily through USAID, has provided over $330 million in assistance to Uzbekistan. USAID works closely with other USG agencies, local counterparts and donors, as well as its regional headquarters in Almaty, to achieve assistance objectives.