Ambassador
U.S. Ambassadors to Uzbekistan (1992-2007)
JON ROBERT PURNELL
U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan
(January 2004-April 2007)
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| Jon R. Purnell |
Jon Purnell presented his credentials as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan on January 28, 2004. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. His most recent assignment was as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. He has also served as a Senior Inspector in the State Department’s Office of the Inspector General (2001-2002) and, prior to that assignment, as Deputy to the Secretary’s Acting Special Adviser for the Newly Independent States. Mr. Purnell’s overseas postings have included Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he was Deputy Chief of Mission from 1997-2000 and St. Petersburg, Russia, where he was Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General (1989-1992). He also worked in Vienna, Austria as a member of the U.S. conventional arms control delegation (1988-1989) and in Monrovia, Liberia (1980-1981). He first worked in Moscow from 1982-1984. Mr. Purnell’s assignments in Washington have focussed on Russia and Ukraine. He was Director of the State Department’s Office of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova from 1993-1996 and worked as special assistant to Ambassador Jack Matlock on the National Security Council in 1986. Mr. Purnell has received the Department of State’s Superior Honor Award and Meritorious Honor Award. Prior to joining the State Department, Mr. Purnell worked for the Massachusetts Audubon Society as a specialist in environmental education. He maintains a strong interest in environmental issues.
Mr. Purnell is a native of Norwood, Massachusetts. He graduated from Norwood High School in 1966. He continued his education at Brown University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in European History in 1970. He earned a Master’s degree in Soviet Studies at Harvard University in 1973. Mr. Purnell has three children. Jon Purnell presented his credentials to Uzbek President Islam Karimov on January 28, 2004. Ambassador Jon Purnell left Uzbekistan on April 28, 2007.
JOHN EDWARD HERBST
U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan
(November 2000-July 2003)
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| John E. Herbst |
John Edward Herbst, of Annandale, Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister - Counselor, was nominated by President Clinton in February to be the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan. The Senate confirmed his nomination on September 8. Before Mr. Herbst was on a three-year assignment in Jerusalem as the U.S. Consul General.
Prior to that, he served as the Principal Deputy to the Ambassador at Large for the Newly Independent States, Director of the Office of Independent States and Commonwealth Affairs, and Director of Regional Affairs in the Near East Bureau. Mr. Herbst has also worked overseas as political counselor at Embassy Tel Aviv and at the embassies in Moscow and Riyadh. He joined the Foreign Service in l979.
Mr. Herbst was born on August 12, 1952 in Rockville Center, New York. He received a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1974 and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Medford, MA) in 1978. He is fluent in Russian and enjoys a working knowledge of Arabic. Mr. Herbst is married to Ms. Nadezda Christoff Herbst and has five children. Ambassador Herbst arrived in Tashkent on October 28, 2000 and presented his credentials to Uzbek President Islam Karimov on November 1, 2000. Ambassador John Edward Herbst left Uzbekistan on July 12, 2003.
JOSEPH A. PRESEL
U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan
(November 1997-October 2000)
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| Joseph A. Presel |
Jospeh Presel joined the Foreign Service in 1963 and has specialized in Russian, multilateral diplomacy, and political military affairs. He has served in Turkey, France, Moscow, Belgrade (as Deputy Chief of Mission), and twice in the U.S. Arms Control Delegation in Vienna, the second time as Deputy U.S. Representative. His Washington service includes two assignments to the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, service in the European, Politico-Military, International Organizations and INR bureaus, as well as several assignments in the offices of Department of State principals. He is a graduate of Harvard College, and studied at St. Anthony's College, Oxford University. He is married to Claire-Lise Junod Presel. Joseph Presel was appointed to this post on November 10, 1997 and presented his credentials to President Islam Karimov on December 3, 1997. Ambassador Presel left Uzbekistan on October 21, 2000.
STANLEY T. ESCUDERO
U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan
(August 1995-October 1997)
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| Stanley T. Escudero |
He has more than 30 years of Foreign Service experience in Central Asia, Iran, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Washington and served as special envoy for humanitarian assistance to Tajikistan. Ambassador Escudero received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. The Senate confirmed his appointment Nov. 6. Ambassador Escudero served in Uzbekistan from August 1995 through October 1997.
HENRY LEE CLARKE
U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan
(August 1992-September 1995)
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| Henry L. Clarke |
He was Deputy to the Ambassador in Bucharest and served as the first U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan where he established the first permanent Embassy. From 1995 to 1998 Ambassador Clarke was the senior State Department official on the staff of the U.S. National War College. He has since served as Senior Advisor for Property Restitution for the Department of State in matters of property wrongfully taken by Nazi and Communist regimes. In April 2001 Ambassador Henry L. Clarke was appointed Supervisor of the District of Brcko. Ambassador Clarke holds degrees from Dartmouth College and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Note: The United States recognized Uzbekistan on December 25, 1991, and established diplomatic relations on February 19, 1992. Embassy Tashkent was established March 16, 1992, with Michael Mozur as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim.
