Ken Reiman
Alexandria
Summary
Accomplished multilingual government relations expert with 23 years of experience as a United States diplomat. Specializes in English, Japanese, Mandarin, and Arabic. Proven track record of leading teams across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Works closely with high-profile clients such as ambassadors, heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, and members of Congress. Eager to leverage expertise in a Vice President of Government Relations and External Affairs role in Japan.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Assistant at the Transition Center in the Foreign Service Institute
U.S. Department of State
01.2002 - Current
- I work with all components of the Transition Center to prepare entry level, mid-level, and senior foreign service officers and their family members for overseas assignments. I prepared our U.S. ambassador nominations for Japan and China for their onward assignments and led marketing efforts to enhance the Transition Center’s contacts with external stakeholders in the public and private sectors. I also coordinate large scale interagency events.
- (3/2025-Present)
Deputy Political/Economic Counselor Yemen Affairs Unit
U.S. Department of State
07.2024 - 03.2025
- I led our team in advancing our bilateral relations with the Republic of Yemen Government, pushing for a peace process, providing timely reporting to Washington on countering terrorism, including Houthi attacks on U.S. maritime and commercial ships in the Red Sea, and gathering information on human rights abuses to sanction Houthi leaders and entities. I frequently served as Acting Section Chief and led our section’s reporting on malign Russian, Iranian and Chinese influence in Yemen, ensuring our products enter the President’s briefings.
Arabic Language Training
U.S. Department of State
08.2022 - 06.2024
- Completed two years of intensive Arabic language training at the Foreign Service Institute in Virginia and in Muscat, Oman obtaining professional fluency standards.
Program Director International Visitor Leadership Program
U.S. Department of State
02.2020 - 07.2022
- Directed an over $1.2 million annual budget to bring foreign leaders to the United States on exchange programs. I led the diversity and inclusion committee at IVLP and directed our strategic outreach plan to Congress, think tanks, academia, and the interagency. As Country Portfolio Manager for 12 countries in East Africa and the African Union, we succeeded in opening a new $3 billion agricultural market between the U.S. and Kenya, and restarted new initiatives on peace and security for Mission Somalia. As our lead Asia expert, I expanded our team’s contacts with Japanese, South Korean, and Southeast Asian counterparts. I supervised a team of 6 staff as Acting Africa Branch Chief and advised the IVLP Social Media Committee.
Health Officer in the Office of International Health and Biodefense
U.S. Department of State
06.2019 - 02.2020
- Served as the Ebola response officer, coordinating with the National Security Council and interagency to respond to pandemic outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries. I liaised with the diplomatic community, leveraging my expertise to gain donor support for USG global health initiatives, including combatting polio and tuberculosis. I worked with counterparts from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to increase their diplomatic support for U.S. initiatives by creating a coalition of Asia-Pacific partners. I prepared senior officials for their congressional hearings and succeeded in obtaining Congressional buy-in to increase funding for global health initiatives.
Senior Advisor and Instructor for Asian Studies Program
U.S. Department of State
06.2018 - 06.2019
- I trained thousands of foreign affairs professionals as the Senior Advisor for Asia, including Korea and Japan at the U.S. Foreign Service Institute, preparing our foreign affairs professionals for their overseas assignments at U.S. embassies and consulates in Asia, particularly responding to health diplomacy initiatives. I taught the Japan/Korea seminar and worked closely with private, public, and nonprofit experts to coordinate speaker programs and lesson plans for U.S. diplomats assigned to both countries as well as China, Taiwan, Australia and countries in Africa when needed. I briefed and trained our outgoing U.S. ambassadors for their respective missions abroad, including for Japan.
U.S. Public Affairs Officer to Burkina Faso
U.S. Department of State
06.2016 - 05.2018
- Supervised 22 staff and led Mission’s education, cultural affairs, and strategic communication strategy. Developed social media crisis communication plan during two terrorist attacks and successfully evacuated 124 Peace Corps Volunteers from the country without a single U.S. casualty. Managed $1.2 million in grants to strengthen U.S. brand and form partnerships across government, business community, and civil society. Served as Embassy Spokesperson in charge of all local and international press and social media. Managed all the cultural exchange programs and alumni networks and trained Burkinabe officials on crisis management and responding to health crises.
U.S. Senior Assessor on Board of Examiners Responsible for Selecting U.S. Diplomats
U.S. Department of State
06.2014 - 06.2016
- Built and led teams of seasoned U.S. diplomats to select aspiring U.S. diplomats for entry into the U.S. diplomatic corps, a $490 million per year impact. Directed two of the most important recruitment and hiring programs within the Department of State, including hiring 80 percent of new U.S. diplomats, including diversity candidates. Led all U.S. media and educational outreach to universities and other government agencies as U.S. Government’s official spokesperson within Bureau of Human Resources. Received commendation for making significant contributions to institution building. Coordinated with the Japanese Embassy in DC to assist them in their hiring and recruitment efforts of Japanese diplomats.
U.S. Country Director for Ghana and Guinea in Washington, DC
U.S. Department of State
05.2012 - 06.2014
- Managed interagency trade delegations to expand bilateral trade relationships with Ghana and Guinea by 186% over 5 years in areas of energy, healthcare, infrastructure development, and agriculture. Coordinated former Secretary of State Clinton’s nine-country visit to Africa, including Ghana, which led to over $100 million in bilateral assistance to Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Malawi. Coached two U.S. ambassadors for their congressional confirmation hearing, including coordinating their consultations, drafting their testimonies, and planning their swearing-in ceremonies. Served as Acting Deputy Director for Office of West African Affairs covering 16 countries and a portfolio of over $15 billion. Assisted in U.S. Government response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa and created an agenda for President Obama’s U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit inviting African Heads of State from Ghana and Guinea to Washington, DC.
Political/Economic and Public Affairs Counselor to Guyana
U.S. Department of State
11.2009 - 03.2013
- Principal Advisor to U.S. Ambassador on matters relating to political, economic, commercial and public affairs. Managed 18 Guyanese and American employees as acting Deputy Chief of Mission. Developed first-ever U.S. Government entry into Guyana’s billion dollar oil/gas industry. Served as Embassy Spokesperson on Haiti and U.S. policy towards Caribbean region. Supervisory responsibilities included managing high-level visits by the Department of State’s Under Secretary for Energy Issues, the Special Representative for Muslim Outreach, and the U.S. Air Force General and Commander of U.S. Southern Command's historic visits to Guyana, as well. I worked with the Departments of Defense, State, Justice, DEA, and FBI to counter narcotics as the officer responsible for International Narcotics and Labor as well. Received Prime Minister’s Award for Muslim outreach. Led our anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) engagement, outreach, and all congressional TIP reporting.
U.S. Foreign Policy Advisor to Congress
U.S. Department of State
04.2011 - 05.2012
- Selected as first U.S. diplomat to serve as foreign policy advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Asia/Pacific covering 30 countries and advising the Chairman and 14 Members of Congress on trade and international affairs. Designed and advanced collaborative communications strategy promoting U.S. manufacturing interests and reported on trade and business development trends in Asia and the Middle East. Liaised with Japanese Diet Members to discuss U.S.-Japan and Japan-China security matters. Analyzed, reported, and monitored existing U.S. legislation affecting U.S. companies in niche markets, including defense, aerospace, and healthcare, recommending strategies for the Chairman to engage key stakeholders.
- Led hearings on rare earth minerals, satellites, and U.S.-Japan relations post-March 11, 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.
Business Development Manager
Westinghouse Electric Japan
01.2009 - 09.2010
- Accepted State Department detail to private sector to utilize my Japanese language and build relationships with key stakeholders in nuclear industry in Japan. Represented Toshiba/Westinghouse in international fora and regulatory committees, advising Presidents of both companies on strategic direction and operational vision. Established and promoted Westinghouse brand presence in Japan, including $50 million project with Japanese utility. Expanded Westinghouse customer orders and sales by 15% with conservative utilities. Drafted SWOT analysis business reports, market profile reports on utility customers, and coordinated activities for different business units with wide range of expertise.
U.S. Economic and Market Access Officer to China
U.S. Department of State
06.2007 - 01.2009
- Senior U.S. Government advisor in Beijing to U.S.-based multinationals doing business in China’s economic and political capital. Led trade delegations to open China’s $1.2 trillion construction and $600 billion insurance sectors to U.S. Fortune 50 firms. Reported on latest economic trends affecting U.S. companies in the China market and routinely briefed members of the American Chamber of Commerce on business trends. Acted as Sherpa for cabinet-level U.S. officials, governors, and Congressional leaders, set agenda and negotiated possible agreements with senior Government of China counterparts in fields of insurance, healthcare, nuclear energy, nanotechnology, and IPR. Created a “Virtual” Consulate in Qingdao, the 2nd largest trading harbor in China.
Senior Aviation and Economic Officer to Nigeria
U.S. Department of State
07.2005 - 05.2007
- Led economic and market access portfolio, in addition to aviation affairs in largest U.S. consulate in Africa, in one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult operating environments. As Aviation Officer, negotiated $20 billion civil aviation agreement for North American Airlines. Awarded Medal of Meritorious Honor for handling two plane crashes and received second Medal of Meritorious Honor for securing flight clearance for 250 Shell American employees to evacuate Nigeria. As senior economic officer in charge of telecommunications, IPR, energy/oil, and aviation, partnered with Exxon Mobile, GE, Cisco, Microsoft, Pfizer, Boeing, HP, Motorola, and other U.S. Fortune 100 companies to expand their business operations by $10 billion.
U.S. Consular and Political Advisor to Taiwan
U.S. Department of State
07.2003 - 04.2005
- Served in our Mission to Taiwan and streamlined visa operations in 4th largest visa operation in the world. Improved customer service results by 30% by introducing first-ever biometric visa security system in Taiwan’s history to adjudicate 250,000 visas per year. Awarded Medal of Superior Honor for reporting on Taiwan’s presidential elections and its economic impact on trade relations. Utilized Mandarin and Japanese to engage Taiwanese and Japanese business elites on U.S. trade and investment opportunities in the IT, healthcare, machinery, and aerospace industries.
U.S. Diplomatic Corps Entry and Training
U.S. Department of State
09.2002 - 06.2003
- Accepted commission to enter the U.S. Foreign Service in September 2002 with orientation, Mandarin, and other training for my first assignment in Taiwan. Prior to this, served at our U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea for a 3-month diplomatic fellowship in the Political Section.
Japan Research Analyst
Stanford University
05.2001 - 05.2002
- During graduate school, worked as a Japan Research Analyst at the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) while pursuing my master’s degree in East Asian Studies.
Education
MA (with Honors) -
Stanford University
01.2002
BSFS (with Honors) - undefined
Georgetown University
01.2000
Certificate of Japanese Studies (with Distinction) - undefined
Keio University
01.1999
Skills
- Leadership
- Multilingual proficiency
- Economic and commercial analysis
- Media relations
- Intercultural communication
- Resourcefulness
- Diplomacy and International Relations
- Written communication
- Analytical skills
- Market research
- Brand management
- Market positioning and advocacy
Accomplishments
Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards U.S. Department of State
Bestselling Author
Affiliations
- American Foreign Service Association
LANGUAGES
Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, and French
Interests
writing, philosophy, sports, travel and supporting entrepreneurial projects with social justice themes
Timeline
Deputy Political/Economic Counselor Yemen Affairs Unit
U.S. Department of State
07.2024 - 03.2025
Arabic Language Training
U.S. Department of State
08.2022 - 06.2024
Program Director International Visitor Leadership Program
U.S. Department of State
02.2020 - 07.2022
Health Officer in the Office of International Health and Biodefense
U.S. Department of State
06.2019 - 02.2020
Senior Advisor and Instructor for Asian Studies Program
U.S. Department of State
06.2018 - 06.2019
U.S. Public Affairs Officer to Burkina Faso
U.S. Department of State
06.2016 - 05.2018
U.S. Senior Assessor on Board of Examiners Responsible for Selecting U.S. Diplomats
U.S. Department of State
06.2014 - 06.2016
U.S. Country Director for Ghana and Guinea in Washington, DC
U.S. Department of State
05.2012 - 06.2014
U.S. Foreign Policy Advisor to Congress
U.S. Department of State
04.2011 - 05.2012
Political/Economic and Public Affairs Counselor to Guyana
U.S. Department of State
11.2009 - 03.2013
Business Development Manager
Westinghouse Electric Japan
01.2009 - 09.2010
U.S. Economic and Market Access Officer to China
U.S. Department of State
06.2007 - 01.2009
Senior Aviation and Economic Officer to Nigeria
U.S. Department of State
07.2005 - 05.2007
U.S. Consular and Political Advisor to Taiwan
U.S. Department of State
07.2003 - 04.2005
U.S. Diplomatic Corps Entry and Training
U.S. Department of State
09.2002 - 06.2003
Special Assistant at the Transition Center in the Foreign Service Institute
U.S. Department of State
01.2002 - Current
Japan Research Analyst
Stanford University
05.2001 - 05.2002
BSFS (with Honors) - undefined
Georgetown University
Certificate of Japanese Studies (with Distinction) - undefined
Keio University
MA (with Honors) -
Stanford University
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Financial Analyst for ORIX Corporation in Japan; Bestselling Author; Coach; Contracting Officer Representative; Advisor to start-ups; Homelessness Business Development Project Coordinator; Georgetown Cancer Volunteer; EEO Counselor; Instructor
Bestselling Author
Author of Love Both Keep Both: Passport to Peace, Prosperity and Strengthened Diplomacy
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