James D. Pettit

James D. Pettit (born 1956)[1] is an American diplomat, who served as United States Ambassador to Moldova in 2015–2018. He was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate. Pettit was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova on January 16, 2015. He presented his credentials to President Nicolae Timofti on January 30, 2015.[2]

James Pettit
Official portrait, 2015
United States Ambassador to Moldova
In office
January 16, 2015 – September 24, 2018
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Preceded byWilliam H. Moser
Succeeded byDereck J. Hogan
Personal details
Born1956 (age 66–67)
North Dakota, United States
Alma materIowa State University
National War College

Biography

Pettit was born in North Dakota, moving to Hamburg, Iowa with his family when he was 7, and later to Council Bluffs, Iowa, at age 15. His father, Jack Pettit, was a Presbyterian minister. James Pettit graduated from Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs in 1974. He received a B.A. in International Studies from Iowa State University, and a M.A. in National Strategic Studies from the National War College. Between 2007 and 2010 Pettit was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, and previously Pettit served the Department of State as Consul General at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia (2003 – 2007), Consul General at Embassy Vienna, Austria (1999 – 2003), Director of Office of Post Liaison/Visa Office (1997 – 1999), Director of Washington Processing Center, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (1995 – 1997), Deputy Consul General at U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia (1992 – 1994), Desk Officer of Office of Taiwan Coordination (1990 – 1992), Desk Officer of Office of Cuban Affairs (1988 – 1990), Consular Officer at American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Taipei, Taiwan (1986 – 1988), General Services/Political Officer at Embassy Moscow, former Soviet Union (1983 – 1985) and Consular Officer at Consulate General, Guadalajara, Mexico (1981 – 1983). Prior to that, he worked in the banking industry in Washington, D.C. While in Vienna, he served as chairman and Secretary of the executive board of the American International School of Vienna.[3]

United States Ambassador to Moldova

Nomination and confirmation

Pettit was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova on January 16, 2015. He presented his credentials to President Nicolae Timofti on January 30, 2015.[4]

Tenure

In 2018 Pettit announced support the United States would provide Moldova in economic development as Moldova embraced government reforms and sought to eliminate corruption. The country has been known as a money laundering haven.[5][6]

Controversies

Pettit has commented on Moldova–Romania relations, noting that Moldova has its own history as well as independence since 1991. His remarks were taken negatively by those supporting the unification of Romania and Moldova. Pettit, in remarks celebrating the 25th anniversary of Moldovan independence, said Moldova should "remain a sovereign, independent state".[7]

Personal life

In 1981 Pettit married Nancy Bikoff Pettit, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia. The couple have two grown children.[8] In addition to English he speaks Russian, Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese,[9] and Romanian.[10]

See also

References
  1. James D. Pettit (1956–)
  2. JAMES D. PETTIT, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Embassy, Moldova, accessed May 28, 2016
  3. "Pettit, James - Republic of Moldova - 05-2014". U.S. Department of State. 2014. Archived from the original on 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  4. JAMES D. PETTIT, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Embassy, Moldova, accessed May 28, 2016
  5. Public, "James Pettit: Moldova proved its desire to develop business" Jan 30, 2018
  6. Forbes, "How The Russians Helped Turn Moldova Into A Hotbed For Money Laundering" Aug 1, 2016
  7. FoxNews, "Romania Senate leader criticizes US envoy's Moldova remarks"August 31, 2016
  8. U.S. Embassy Riga: Ambassador Nancy Bikoff Pettit accessed September 10, 2016
  9. U.S. Ambassador to Moldova: Who Is James Pettit? allgov.com
  10. Ambassador Pettit speaking Romanian and Russian YouTube accessed September 10, 2016
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