When I began my State Department career as an FS-07 just over a decade ago, I never in a million years thought that I would be sitting here today writing a biographic statement outlining my qualifications for a PO position. As I started collecting my thoughts for this statement, I looked back and reread my previous EERs; it truly has been an amazing journey rising through the ranks, and I honestly think the time I spent in each of the ranks between FS-07 and 02 has provided me a fuller understanding of the Department and helped me become the officer that I am today. From being control officer for cabinet level delegations to Baghdad and London to being Visa Chief in the world’s second busiest immigrant visa section and now managing a team of
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Mentorship is something I sincerely try to pay forward, from helping a first tour officer navigate the complex priority staffing post linking process to secure his first in-cone assignment to proactively mentoring and patiently coaching an entry level officer suffering from dyslexia how to improve his writing. I also appreciate the importance of morale, particularly among our locally engaged staff colleagues who remain long after we are gone. I regularly seek feedback from my key LES, encourage them to drop my office to share their concerns, and empower them to take ownership of their work. Sure, we hit some bumps along the way because the business of diplomacy is not easy, but relying on our cadre of highly competent locally employed staff helps us meet our goals and objectives. The motto “One Team; One Mission” encompasses every member of the team, from the Ambassador to the local guards who welcome us to work each morning. As Principal Officer this tenet will be what guides
Mentorship is something I sincerely try to pay forward, from helping a first tour officer navigate the complex priority staffing post linking process to secure his first in-cone assignment to proactively mentoring and patiently coaching an entry level officer suffering from dyslexia how to improve his writing. I also appreciate the importance of morale, particularly among our locally engaged staff colleagues who remain long after we are gone. I regularly seek feedback from my key LES, encourage them to drop my office to share their concerns, and empower them to take ownership of their work. Sure, we hit some bumps along the way because the business of diplomacy is not easy, but relying on our cadre of highly competent locally employed staff helps us meet our goals and objectives. The motto “One Team; One Mission” encompasses every member of the team, from the Ambassador to the local guards who welcome us to work each morning. As Principal Officer this tenet will be what guides