Daniel Fennell Email and Phone Number

Faculty member for graduate-level masters program in International Relations at the National War College in the National Defense University. Subjects include national security strategy, leadership, statecraft, and ethical professional conduct. NWC prepares graduates to function at the highest levels of strategic leadership in a complex, competitive, and rapidly evolving strategic environment, adding to curriculum that emphasizes the joint and interagency perspective.

Since entering the Foreign Service, he has served abroad in Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico during periods of violence or unrest, and in the U.S. Mission to Canada working on bilateral energy trade. In Iraq, he served as the Spokesman and Public Diplomacy Chief at a U.S. multi-agency Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the north, embedded with the U.S. First Infantry Division in an active combat zone. He also served in Accra, Ghana during the West African Ebola outbreak. In Washington, he served in the office of the Secretary of State for both Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, as a press officer in the bureau developing American policy for the United Nations, as the Deputy Director for the Office of Iraq Political Affairs, and with the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilizations Operations, where he managed teams deployed to areas in crisis, and served on the faculty of the National Defense University. He is currently assigned as the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in the US Embassy in Guatemala. His languages include Arabic and Spanish.

As Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), serves as the number-two diplomat assigned to the U.S. diplomatic Mission to Guatemala, supporting the U.S. Ambassador. Serves as chargé d'affaires (i.e., acting Chief of Mission) in the Ambassador's absence. The DCM serves as a key policy advisor to the ambassador as well as a de facto COO, responsible for the day-to-day management of the post. The DCM oversees the heads of sections and executive branch agencies at the embassy, and responds to employee concerns and quality-of-life issues.

Visiting US diplomat/Senior Foreign Service Officer (FSO) at the National Defense University program at the College of International Security Affairs (NDU/CISA). Instructor for courses in concentrated Masters program, including Strategic Thought, History of Political Philosophy, National Statecraft, International Relations, and Fundamentals of Leadership. Served as thesis advisor for senior leaders completing graduate program in International Relations.

Graduated with a Masters in Strategic Security Studies (International Relations program). Degree awarded with Distinction; Recipient of the Chancellor's Award.

US Diplomat (FSO) in the US Mission in Accra, Ghana. As public affairs chief, directed team of over 25 professionals in two cities, managing over $1 million in federal resources, including direct grants, personnel payroll, material acquisitions. Embassy and US government spokesperson, working with local, regional, and international press and media outlets on radio, television, social and online media. Crafted US government public messaging during West Africa Ebola crisis. As acting Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), coordinated efforts of 750+ personnel, and resources supporting US Mission and 200+ family members, as well as representatives of over 40 US federal agencies, including DOD, USAID, CDC, DHS, etc. Received multiple Meritorious Service Awards; promoted to Senior Foreign Service (SFS, a civilian 1-star equivalent grade).

US diplomat (FSO) developing and implementing overseas expeditionary diplomatic missions in Latin America and the Middle East. Supervised and coordinated over 30 professional experts in diverse interagency teams. Oversaw projects in Central America, including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, study projects regarding Venezuela and at-risk economies in the Caribbean, and the Middle East peace process (Israel-Palestinian relations). Coordinated interagency efforts, including with USAID, DOD, NSC, DOJ and briefed US senators. Represented the Department of State on DOD panels at the Marine Staff College and Air War College. Liaised with civil society experts, including the US Institute for Peace, Woodrow Wilson Center, and Princeton University. Received Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor Awards personally from the Assistant Secretary of State.

Supervised six FSOs and Civil Servants in the Office of Iraq Policy. Managed daily operations, including prioritizing assigments, supervising daily workflow. Edit written products and reports, coordinate with Embassy Baghdad on policy matters, attend NSC meetings as necessary with White House staff. Re-implemented and chaired a regular interagency Iraq Working Group on Iraq, with attendees including NSC, DOD, DOT, DHS, and other agencies. Supported Department's "glide path" for right-sizing Embassy footprint, working with NEA exec office (NEA/EX), and office of the Deputy Secretary. Served as a shift Coordinator for the Department's Task Force to coordinate emergency response in the wake of attacks on US embassies and facilities in the Middle East, including the attacks that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and 3 other colleagues in Benghazi, Libya. Detailed to the Deputy Secretray's staff following Benghazi deaths, suggested and then set up the DepSecState visit with bureau personnel. Also served as the Coordinator for the emergency Task Force established following attacks on a western natural gas facility in remote Algeria, assisting with the immediate partial evacuation of that post. Drove the issuance of a demarche cable instructing the embassy to seek the commutation of a death sentence in Iraq until significant human rights concerns were investigated-- which likely contributed to saving of two lives and helped steer the still-developing Iraqi justice sector in the long-term.

US diplomat/Foreign Service Officer (FSO) with the US diplomatic Mission in Iraq, embedded on a military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in a combat zone in northern Iraq. Lived and worked in spartan living conditions, hundreds of miles outside of Baghdad on a base subject to regular rocket and mortar attacks. Unaccompanied (no family) post. Senior advisor on PRT for press, media contacts, and sharing US viewpoints. Volunteered for tasks "outside the wire" nearly every day, completing over 200 missions in body armor and helmet to reach local audiences and meet with regional leaders. Oversaw PRT activities in education, culture, minority, youth and women's issues. Lead Public Diplomacy (PD) section with two FSOs and four local staff, remaining vigilant to protect the safety of colleagues subject to local terror attacks. Built ties with colleagues in US military, enabling coordination of resources and information to support joint mission. Coordinate PRT's professional exchange program and contribute to multi-agency grant programming and oversight. Outreach activities to region's diverse ethnic and religious communities, including hosting Iftar dinner for local chiefs and officials. Expanded number of English language teaching programs. Designed and implemented strategic development programs for the region's only public library and antiquities museum. Received a Meritorious Service Award, the DOD Commander's medal for Outstanding Civilian Service, nominated for the world-wide Murrow Award for Outstanding Work in Public Diplomacy and was among the first recipients of the Secretary of State Award for Expeditionary Diplomacy.

As Deputy Principal Officer, served as alter-ego to the Consul General (CG), and Acting CG in his/her absence. Due to the unforeseen resignation of the CG, assumed charge of the post for nearly a year, managing several agencies, a consulate staff of 4 FSOs, 2 cleared American staff, 15 Canadian local staff from the Deprtments of State and Commerce, and over 50 DHS airport pre-clearane staff for a total of 75 USG employees. Coordinated with the US Embassy in Ottawa, hosting US officials and the Ambassador when in the consular district. District included Alberta, Saskatchewan and Canada's Northwest Territories, up through the Arctic Circle. Managed significant oil and gas trade portfolio, including the Canadian oil sands and pipeline projects, as well as the largest foreign sources of uranium, petroleum and potash to the US. Also conducted outreach to agricultural producer, among the source of foreign trade with the US. Established and maintained ties with senior leaders in government, business, media, sector analysts, and education, as well as with State leadership in bordering US territories. Significant radio, TV and media presence during US and Canadian electoral cycles. Assisted US forms expanding their business in energy, information technology, agriculture, tourism and other sectors. In addition to policy, oversaw personnel, management, and security issues. Implemented a direct payment to temp quarters for newly-arriving US personnel, adopted as a best practice Mission-wide. Piloted the renovation of the CG's official residence, satisfying OBO and Embassy engineering and financial standards. Established new method for formal Blue Lantern Reports on firms re-exporting specific registered US technology to allow faster and more efficient reporting, coordinating with DHS, DOD, and State authorities. Expanded ties with emerging TV and film production sector. Completed the Department Oil and Gas Econ Course; received Superior and Meritorious Service Awards.

US diplomat/Foreign Service Officer (FSO) representing the US government in Mexico. Managed embassy programing on government and political institutions, public administration, and justice reform. Oversaw the visiting US speakers, University Training, Internships, Exchange and Scholars (TIES) program, International and Voluntary Visitors exchange programs, coordinated media and press outreach. Planned bi-lateral conference on drug use; national conference on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), leading to passage of the first Mexican anti-TIP law passed. Sponsored relevant programs on public security, anti-corruption, and rule-of-law, including inviting speakers from White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and US Dept of Health and Human Services. Served on committee to draft Mission Planning document. Coordinated public outreach for re-creation of Charles Lindberg's historic transcontinental flight series, cover by the Discovery Channel, identifying private sponsorship for local events. Cable report regarding conversations by a visiting US judge with local business leaders on a pending Mexican anti-trust law won front channel kudos from Under Secretary for Economic Affairs (E) Wayne. Published two articles in local law journals on the US justice system; honored to be invited as adjunct members of the Mexican Society of Doctors in Law. Supported press elements for tripartite presidential summit with visiting President Bush. Chaired department committee on staff use of overtime compensation. Conducted extensive public outreach and media appearances in Spanish and English. Managed 7 local staff, speakers and exchanges program, including Fulbright, Humphreys, and International Visitors. Served as Board member of bi-lateral Fulbright Commission. Official election monitor. Acting Cultural Attache, managing over $1 million in resources and 15 local staff. Received Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, and FBI Award.

US diplomat/Foreign Service Officer (FSO) in the Department bureau that oversees US policy for the United Nations and other international organizations. Prepared press guidance and public statements for multilateral and UN-related issues, supported 7 overseas posts at UN missions, manage press events for the Assistant Secretary and other principals (including PDAS), and coordinated with the UN Mission in NY for public outreach during the UN General Assembly summit. Balanced equities of other bureaus and government agencies. Managed bureau clearance for Voice of America (VOA) editorials. Coordinated the bureau response to proposal to establish an internet governance regime within the UN World Summit on Information Systems (WSIS); piloted briefing at the Foreign Briefing Center for USTR and Commerce Assistant Secretary. Drafted Op-Eds for Under Secretary. Period included ongoing public debate on UN reform with the arrival of Ambassador Bolton and a new Asst Secretary. Represented office at NSC-chaired meeting on proposed UNESCO convention. Served as director or Hurricane Katrina Task Force; briefed Secretary Rice on status of international assistance. Served on Iraqi elections task force.

US Diplomat/Foreign Service Officer (FSO) in the Department of State's 24-hour Operations Center, the crisis management, emergency communications and alert office for the Secretary of State. Member of SecState Staff for Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. Maintained updated grasp of US foreign policy, and contact with agencies and bureaus involved in its implementation. Worked with senior Department officials, other agencies and the public; briefed SecState and other senior officials on breaking events; drafted briefing products for the Secretary; and served as note taker for the Secretary's conversations with world leaders. Multiple crises included ongoing conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East, the Indonesian tsunami, political and humanitarian crises in Haiti, Darfur and Cote d'Ivoir.

US Diplomat/Foreign Service Officer (FSO) representing the US government in Venezuela during period of severe political unrest during the Hugo Chavez regime. Administered the Embassy's educational and professional exchange programs, including Fulbright and Humphrey, and International Visitors programs. Supervised 3 locally engaged cultural staff, preformed representational duties to promote relations b/n US and Venezuela. Acting Press Attache' and Embassy Spokesman during extended gap. During extended political crisis and partial Embassy evacuation, shifted to political officer duties, reporting to Washington on crisis. Created and strengthened contacts within justice sector and the Supreme Court. Received the Department of State's Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards.

Foreign Service Officer (FSO) represententing the US government in Colombia, a designated "danger post" during period of political violence. Portfolios included congresisonal correspondence for consular matters. As a political officer, reported on internal politics in around Cali, and legal issues. Handled the sensitive extradition portfolio for indicted drug criminals, working with US federal prosecutors (AUSA) and in-country FBI and DEA reps. Official election monitor. Control officer for congressional delegations (CODELs) and visit by President Clinton. Received Citation from the FBI for work against transnational crime.