Paul E. Poletes
Summary
Accomplished Director at the U.S. Department of State with extensive experience as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassies in Tashkent, Riga, and Ashgabat, specializing in crisis response and team leadership. Proven ability to lead transparent hiring processes while managing critical operations in challenging environments. Recognized for exceptional political analysis and decision-making skills, driving successful outcomes under pressure. Committed to developing effective teams.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Senior Level Division
U.S. Department of State
08.2024 - Current
- Lead State Department processes for choosing ambassadors, deputy chiefs of mission, and deputy assistant secretaries
- Advise State Department leadership on personnel policy
- Ensure fair, transparent hiring processes for Foreign Service assignments
- Provide career advice and service to the State Department’s 400 senior-most leaders
Deputy Chief of Mission
U.S. Embassy Tashkent
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
07.2021 - 06.2024
- Served as chief operating officer for a mission of six U.S. government agencies, 450 staff members, and a $60 million budget.
- Led the Emergency Action Committee during multiple crises and the evacuation of American citizens from neighboring Afghanistan.
- Coordinated policy responses on military assistance, human rights, and commercial advocacy.
Deputy Chief of Mission
U.S. Embassy Riga
Riga, Latvia
07.2017 - 07.2020
- Served as chief operating officer for a mission of five U.S. government agencies and 300 staff members.
- Led the embassy's response to the onset of COVID-19.
- Worked extensively with U.S
- Army Europe and European Command on military cooperation and NATO deployments to Latvia
- Coordinated policy responses to Russian aggression against the Baltic States.
Education
M.A. - Strategic Studies and Counterterrorism
National Defense University
06-2014
M.A. - Russian Area Studies
Johns Hopkins Schools of Advanced International Studies
05-1999
Skills
- Crisis Response
- Mentoring
- Team Leadership
- Verbal and written communication
- Change management
- Political analysis
- Decision-making
Languages
- Russian, Full proficiency
- Uzbek, Proficient
- Latvian, Proficient
- Albanian, Proficient
- Greek, Proficient
Timeline
Director, Senior Level Division
U.S. Department of State
08.2024 - Current
Deputy Chief of Mission
U.S. Embassy Tashkent
07.2021 - 06.2024
Deputy Chief of Mission
U.S. Embassy Riga
07.2017 - 07.2020
M.A. - Strategic Studies and Counterterrorism
National Defense University
M.A. - Russian Area Studies
Johns Hopkins Schools of Advanced International Studies
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