Bahamas

Eugene Newry became ambassador of the Bahamas on Dec. 3, 2013 having previously served as the permanent representative of the Bahamas to the United Nations in New York. He was also a special envoy to the prime minister and from 2002 to 2007, he served concurrently as the Bahamas’ ambassador to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A neurosurgeon by profession, Ambassador Newry holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Saint Francis Xavier University in Canada and a medical degree from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Adnan Hadrovic assumed the position of deputy chief of mission-minister counselor on Dec. 1, 2013 replacing Damir Dzanko, who departed the post Aug. 1. Hadrovic previously served in the Consulate General of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Istanbul and in Munich, as well as at the embassy in Washington, D.C. on a prior occasion. He has also held various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 19 years. Hadrovic holds a master’s degree in administrative science with a specialization in diplomacy and international relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Colombia

Luis Carlos Villegas became ambassador of Colombia to the United States on Dec. 3, 2013 having most recently served as president of the National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI), a position he held for more than 17 years. In addition, Ambassador Villegas is a member of the Colombian government’s negotiating team in the ongoing peace talks with FARC rebels. While at the helm of ANDI, he served two terms as president of the National Business Council (1998-99; 2002-12) and was also president of the Board of Directors of the Fund for the Reconstruction and Social Development for the Coffee Belt (FOREC) from 1999 to 2000, following an earthquake that hit this important region of Colombia. In addition, he was president of the Association for CEE/Latin American Business Cooperation (ACE) and the Andean Business Advisory Council (1998-99), as well as president of Corfioccidente (1992-95). Ambassador Villegas has also held a number of positions in public office, including as senator representing the Risaralda department (state) of Colombia (1990-92), governor of Risaralda (1985-86), and international secretary of the Colombian Liberal Party (1989-94). Between 1979 and 1989, Ambassador Villegas served in various capacities, including deputy minister of foreign affairs; general secretary of the National Federation of Coffee Growers; secretary of the Commission of Foreign Affairs; secretary-general and undersecretary for economic and social affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and economic counselor at the Embassy of Colombia in Paris. A native of Pereira, Colombia, Ambassador Villegas received his bachelor’s degree in socioeconomics and his law degree from the Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. He also submitted a D.A. in public administration from the University of Paris. He is married to Carmela Restrepo and has two grown children, Juliana and Daniel.

Czech Republic

Pavel Pitel assumed the position of consular section head on Nov. 21, replacing Frantisek Vintr, who departed Dec. 2.

Michal Sveda assumed the position of political officer on Jan. 6, replacing Barbora Esnerova, who departed Jan. 11.

Israel

Ron Dermer became ambassador of Israel to the United States on Dec. 3, 2013 having previously served as senior advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since 2009. From 2005 to 2008, Ambassador Dermer served as Israel’s minister of economic affairs in the United States. He was also a columnist for the Jerusalem Post for three years and co-authored with Natan Sharansky the 2004 bestselling book, “The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror,” which has been translated into 10 languages. Born and raised in Miami Beach, Fla., he earned a degree in finance and management from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) from Oxford University. He is married to Rhoda and has five children.

Kazakhstan

Talgat Baimukhambetov assumed the position of counselor on Dec. 10, having previously served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Olzhas Nurgaliyev assumed the position of second secretary on Dec. 26, having previously served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ermar Serikov departed the post of first secretary.

Zhanat Shaimerdenov departed the post of first secretary on Dec. 15.

Amir Sultangozhin departed the post of first secretary on Dec. 16.

Monaco

Maguy Maccario Doyle became ambassador of Monaco to the United States on Dec. 3, 2013 having previously served as Monaco’s longtime consul general in New York. Ambassador Maccario Doyle started her U.S. career at the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York in 1976 and was appointed director for North America in 1994. In 1995, Prince Rainier III appointed her consul of Monaco in New York, then consul general in 1997, making her the first Monégasque woman worldwide to hold the position of career consul. Under her direction, the consulate organized promotional and philanthropic events to benefit charitable endeavors, including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-USA and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. As director of the Monaco Government Tourist Office, her responsibilities included the development of leisure and group business travel to the principality. She also initiated numerous cultural and cross-promotional programs, including the successful annual “Monaco Takes New York” marketing campaign (which spread to other U.S. cities). In 2007, she was the driving force behind the internationally lauded “A Celebration of Grace” series of events that raised more than $1.5 million for the Princess Grace Foundation-USA and captured a combined media audience in excess of 140 million. In 2008, Ambassador Maccario Doyle was appointed by Prince Albert to be vice president of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-USA and has since spearheaded many local fundraising and awareness events (with, among others, Travel + Leisure magazine, Chicago’s Field Museum, Disney and Tesla), as well as the creation of Monaco’s Environmental Stewardship Gallery, a customized installation depicting the principality’s conservation efforts. Ambassador Maccario Doyle also supports various humanitarian causes and in 1998 was awarded a gold medal from ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for her services toward its international programs. In 1996, Prince Rainier presented her with a “Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint-Charles” distinction in recognition of services to the Principality of Monaco and the Princely Family.

Romania

Iulian Buga became ambassador of Romania to the United States on Dec. 3, 2013 having previously served as Romania’s ambassador to Ireland since 2009. In addition, he was state secretary for political and strategic affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2007-09); ambassador to the Netherlands and permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2001-07); as well as director of the North America Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1999-2001). Ambassador Buga has also served in the United States before, as consul general in Los Angeles (1997-98) and as counselor at the Romanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1994-97). Other postings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which he joined in 1991, include deputy director of the North America Division (1993-94) and deputy director of the Protocol Department (1992-93). Prior to that, Ambassador Buga was a scientific researcher with the Research and Design Institute for Electronic Components in Bucharest (1982-91). He holds a master’s degree with distinction in international relations and diplomacy from Westminster University in London and a bachelor’s in electronics and telecommunications from the Polytechnic Institute in Bucharest. He has also completed post-graduate diplomatic training courses at N. Titulescu – University of Paris Foundation in Romania, a post-graduate course in management and marketing from the Academy for Economic Studies in Bucharest, and a post-graduate course in computer techniques from the Polytechnic Institute in Bucharest. Ambassador Buga speaks Romanian, English and French and is married to Mihaela and has a daughter, Irina.

São Tomé and Principe

Carlos Filomeno Azevedo Agostinho das Neves became the ambassador of São Tomé and Principe on Dec. 3, 2013 having previously served as permanent representative of São Tomé and Principe to the United Nations in New York since September 2012. In addition, Ambassador Neves served as director of the National Petroleum Agency’s Administrative and Public Department, prior to which he was adviser to the National Assembly (2008-09). He was vice president to that body from 2002 to 2006, a period when he also served as president of its Oil and Gas Commission (2004-06). Ambassador Neves served as president of the National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Commission until 1998, having won the position after his election as a deputy in 1994. He was also the general secretary of the political party Acçao Democratica Independente (1994-2002), having previously been ambassador to Spain (1992-94) and ambassador to Portugal (1991-94). Ambassador Neves holds a master’s degree in history from the University of Lisbon and a bachelor’s in history from the Classic University of Lisbon. Born on June 20, 1953, Ambassador Neves is married.

Thailand

Vijavat Isarabhakdi became ambassador of Thailand to the United States on Dec. 3, 2013 having previously served in the Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., as first secretary from 1994 to 1998 and second secretary from 1993 to 1994. More recently, he was deputy permanent secretary in the Office of the Permanent Secretary (2012-13), director-general of the Department of International Organizations (2010-12), and minister in the Thai Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva (2006-10). Ambassador Isarabhakdi also served various postings with the Secretariat of the Prime Minister, including minister (2005-06), minister-counselor (2003-05), and counselor (2001-03), as well as in the Office of the Secretary to the Minister, including counselor (2000-01) and first secretary (1998-2000). Other postings include first secretary (1998-2000) and second secretary (1992-93) in the Department of East Asian Affairs, as well as third secretary in the Americas Division of the Department of Political Affairs (1991-92). Ambassador Isarabhakdi holds a doctorate in international relations and a master’s degree in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in English with first-class honors from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. He is married to Wannipa Isarabhakdi and has one daughter.