Douglas Kramer Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as primary manager for office covering international debt, loan guarantees, and macroeconomic issues for the State Department, including leading the U.S. delegation to the Paris Club for sovereign debt management. Managed and mentored an 11-person office of Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals, including recruiting new personnel, performance evaluations, assigning and monitoring tasks, office procurement and other human resources matters. As needed, served as acting Director… Show more Served as primary manager for office covering international debt, loan guarantees, and macroeconomic issues for the State Department, including leading the U.S. delegation to the Paris Club for sovereign debt management. Managed and mentored an 11-person office of Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals, including recruiting new personnel, performance evaluations, assigning and monitoring tasks, office procurement and other human resources matters. As needed, served as acting Director of the office, so had to up to date on all issues covered by the professionals in the office. Had specific responsibility for work visa policy related to staff of the International Monetary Fund. Show less

Moscow, Russian Federation

Headed 15-person office responsible for all U.S. Government economic policy issues with the Russian Federation. Served as primary economic adviser to the U.S. ambassador to Russia. At a time of substantial bilateral tensions following Russia's actions in Ukraine, ensured the Embassy's Economic Section provided top-flight and extremely timely analysis of Russia's trade, finance, macroeconomics, and energy to enable realistic, thoughtful policy formulation in Washington. Cooperated with other… Show more Headed 15-person office responsible for all U.S. Government economic policy issues with the Russian Federation. Served as primary economic adviser to the U.S. ambassador to Russia. At a time of substantial bilateral tensions following Russia's actions in Ukraine, ensured the Embassy's Economic Section provided top-flight and extremely timely analysis of Russia's trade, finance, macroeconomics, and energy to enable realistic, thoughtful policy formulation in Washington. Cooperated with other sections of the Embassy and with the inter-agency representatives of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Treasury to ensure the Embassy's analysis represented a common understanding of Russia's situation. At the same time, worked with the section's professional staff to ensure that they remained productive and with high morale, while mentoring less-experienced officers. Often using Russian language skills, maintained a wide range of high-level contacts with the Russian government and business, and also ensured close coordination with the U.S. private sector by serving as an ex-officio board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as Deputy Director of growing office in State Department's then-new Energy Resources Bureau, responsible for mentoring, tasking assignments, and overall management of six Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals. On an acting basis, served concurrently as Deputy Director of the Office of Africa and Asia from 2011 to 2012. In addition, served as Acting Office Director from September 2012 to June 2013. Worked creatively to establish adequate staffing, including by recruiting a… Show more Served as Deputy Director of growing office in State Department's then-new Energy Resources Bureau, responsible for mentoring, tasking assignments, and overall management of six Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals. On an acting basis, served concurrently as Deputy Director of the Office of Africa and Asia from 2011 to 2012. In addition, served as Acting Office Director from September 2012 to June 2013. Worked creatively to establish adequate staffing, including by recruiting a science fellow to take over the busy South America portfolio -- this fellow later become a permanent employee who contributed substantially to a number of U.S. energy initiatives with Latin America. Also was the Deputy State Department Representative to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Governing Board. Advised the U.S. representatives from both the State Department and the Department of Energy on key administrative issues, such as the IEA's effort to develop an associate member status for non-member countries, such as China and India. Developed a proposal to bring U.S. contributions to the IEA budget more in line with the level of U.S. contributions to other international organizations, and worked with like-minded delegations to address this budget problem. When senior U.S. Government leaders were considering a possible release of petroleum reserves, advised State Department, interagency and White House colleagues on how the IEA's procedures would work in the event of a coordinated release of reserves.Oversaw the Bureau of Energy Resources' role in cross-border pipeline permitting with both Canada and Mexico. Served as Co-Chair of the interagency Market Impact Committee that oversees the U.S. Strategic Stockpile, including advising on policy related to rare earth minerals. Also provided analysis on energy issues, including a major paper arguing that oil supplies were likely to increase, even in the wake of new Iran sanctions. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Directed the Office for Africa and Europe, responsible for the all aspects of U.S. human rights policy for 97 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Responsible for leading and managing an office of 25 Foreign Service and Civil Service staff. In September 2010, due to a bureau-wide reorganization, became Director of the Office of Africa, covering 48 countries. Led the both offices' efforts to develop strategies, policy and programs to advance human rights and democracy in Africa and… Show more Directed the Office for Africa and Europe, responsible for the all aspects of U.S. human rights policy for 97 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Responsible for leading and managing an office of 25 Foreign Service and Civil Service staff. In September 2010, due to a bureau-wide reorganization, became Director of the Office of Africa, covering 48 countries. Led the both offices' efforts to develop strategies, policy and programs to advance human rights and democracy in Africa and Europe, with particular emphasis on non-democratic countries and those transitioning to democracy. In line with this effort, oversaw the programming of the Human Rights and Democracy fund for the countries in these regions, totalling approximately $10 million. Participated in program management, including evaluation and selection of grant proposals under this fund.In addition, each year the office was responsible for preparation of the annual Country Reports on Human Rights, which was a major logistical challenge, as staff had to both edit and help draft the reports for their countries, as well as continue with other pressing human rights issues in their portfolios. Ensured that the office had sufficient resources to manage this task, and introduced innovative methods to enhance productivity, such as encouraging telework, so that staff could concentrate on report production. Show less

Kiev, Ukraine

Served as the Ambassador's senior adviser on economic issues in Ukraine and kept policymakers in Washington informed about economic developments in Ukraine, with a special focus on barriers to economic reform. Developed and shaped policies to meet U.S. strategic goals in response to rapidly changing economic and political factors in Ukraine and advocated with senior Ukrainian officials to adopt policies to combat corruption and build a stable basis for a prosperous economy. Functioned as the… Show more Served as the Ambassador's senior adviser on economic issues in Ukraine and kept policymakers in Washington informed about economic developments in Ukraine, with a special focus on barriers to economic reform. Developed and shaped policies to meet U.S. strategic goals in response to rapidly changing economic and political factors in Ukraine and advocated with senior Ukrainian officials to adopt policies to combat corruption and build a stable basis for a prosperous economy. Functioned as the U.S. Embassy's point of contact for U.S.-Ukraine dialogues on energy.As Economic Counselor, served as Assistance Coordinator, coordinating over $100 million in U.S. assistance to Ukraine across nine departments and agencies. Coordinated annual assistance reviews and assistance budget proposals with these agencies, and liaised with the Goverment of Ukraine and other international donors on assistance priorities. Also served as coordinator of the Embassy's Avian Influenza Working Group during an outbreak of that disease among poultry flocks in southern Ukraine. Played an active role in promoting Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization in April 2008, a step which helped access to this growing market for U.S. trade and investment. In the final stages of this accession process, a dispute between Ukraine and another WTO member threatened to derail it, and so developed and executed an advocacy strategy with both the Ukrainians and the other member that helped resolve the dispute and bring the accession to a successful conclusion.Had management responsibility for a the 12-person Economic Section of the Embassy, including American and Ukrainian staff. Also coordinated the three-person Department of Energy office and served as acting head of the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce offices when their lead officers were away. Show less

Berlin Area, Germany

Served as officer for telecommunications and energy, advocating for the further opening of Germany's network industries (telecommunications, cable TV, energy, posts) to benefit U.S. firms seeking access to this significant market. In one case, employed advocacy to help ensure that a U.S. firm was able to bid for several television stations in an insolvency proceeding -- the firm won the bid, resulting in a $2 billion investment. Maintained and helped build ties between German regulators and… Show more Served as officer for telecommunications and energy, advocating for the further opening of Germany's network industries (telecommunications, cable TV, energy, posts) to benefit U.S. firms seeking access to this significant market. In one case, employed advocacy to help ensure that a U.S. firm was able to bid for several television stations in an insolvency proceeding -- the firm won the bid, resulting in a $2 billion investment. Maintained and helped build ties between German regulators and their U.S. counterparts to share best practices. Wrote analyses of changes in German policy and practice in these areas, including the Internet, cybersecurity, e-commerce and multimedia policy. Closely followed the adoption and implementation of Germany's 2004 Telecommunications Act to ensure U.S. interests were protected. In addition, advocated for U.S. interests in the pharmaceutical sector, in particular monitoring efforts to ensure that U.S. firms' intellectual property rights were safeguarded.Reported on energy developments in Germany and advocated for U.S. energy policies that concerned Germany. In particular organized public outreach efforts to explain U.S. energy technology initiatives in areas such as hydrogen and renewable energy as a means to build support among the German public for U.S. climate change priorities and energy security goals. Promoted outreach to eastern Germany on economic issues, in particular to the state of Brandenburg.Supervised and mentored one locally-engaged employee. Served as necessary as acting unit chief for the Economic Counselor. Show less

Moscow, Russian Federation

Served as senior trade policy officer in Embassy Moscow's Economic Section. Liaised with U.S. Trade Representative's office and other U.S. Government agencies to negotiate Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Advised Washington agencies on Russian policies and developments related to the accession, and followed Russian public and private sector actions related to the accession. Reporting on Russian services offers in the accession helped form the basis for a U.S… Show more Served as senior trade policy officer in Embassy Moscow's Economic Section. Liaised with U.S. Trade Representative's office and other U.S. Government agencies to negotiate Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Advised Washington agencies on Russian policies and developments related to the accession, and followed Russian public and private sector actions related to the accession. Reporting on Russian services offers in the accession helped form the basis for a U.S. negotiating position to defend key U.S. services trade interests. Developed a successful public diplomacy program for Russian journalists to visit the WTO headquarters and gain understanding of that organization. Defended U.S. bilateral trade interests, such as anti-dumping measures, including a major effort to reach out to Russian steel executives to explain U.S. trade actions. Tracked developments related to Russia's investment climate; reported on U.S. companies' investment disputes and helped to advocate on their behalf. Also monitored changes in the environment for intellectual property rights in Russia and promoted improvements in treatment of U.S. firms' intellectual property rights. Show less

Frankfurt Am Main Area, Germany

Served as the lead reporting officer on political and economic affairs in the German state of Hesse and for the city of Frankfurt and also did a significant amount of reporting on the state of Saarland. Established contacts with high-level officials in German state governments and with all major political parties. Also reported on economic and financial developments in the four German states covered by the Consulate General, such as reporting on how ordinary Germans prepared for the transition… Show more Served as the lead reporting officer on political and economic affairs in the German state of Hesse and for the city of Frankfurt and also did a significant amount of reporting on the state of Saarland. Established contacts with high-level officials in German state governments and with all major political parties. Also reported on economic and financial developments in the four German states covered by the Consulate General, such as reporting on how ordinary Germans prepared for the transition from the mark to the euro. For two years was the chief of the Consulate General's political/economic section, supervising four American and German employees, and also served as deputy chief of the section. Played a major role in the transition when the U.S. Consulate General in Stuttgart was closed and its responsibilities transferred to Consulate General Frankfurt. Contributed to the Consulate General's public diplomacy, including ties with American business leaders in southwestern Germany and a number of public presentations and speeches in German. Provided staffing, briefing and support for high-level visitors to the Consulate General's district. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as first Department of State desk officer for an independent Ukraine. Also served as first desk officer for independent Belarus, and after a full-time desk officer was hired, served as back-up on Belarus. Worked closely with the staff and leadership of the first U.S. Embassies in Kiev, Ukraine and Minsk, Belarus to ensure that they had the staffing, communications, and facilities to function effectively in representing U.S. interests in these newly-independent countries. Negotiated… Show more Served as first Department of State desk officer for an independent Ukraine. Also served as first desk officer for independent Belarus, and after a full-time desk officer was hired, served as back-up on Belarus. Worked closely with the staff and leadership of the first U.S. Embassies in Kiev, Ukraine and Minsk, Belarus to ensure that they had the staffing, communications, and facilities to function effectively in representing U.S. interests in these newly-independent countries. Negotiated with management -related offices in the Department of State to ensure that these new posts had the resources they needed, and helped find creative solutions to address staffing issues. Was closely involved in efforts to acquire and remodel the first building for the U.S. Embassy in Kiev. Became the Department's resident expert on political, economic, and leadership issues related to Ukraine. In this respect, played an active role both in debates on whether and how the U.S. should recognize Ukraine and Belarus, and also on developing a plan of action for obtaining Ukrainian approval of strategic arms and non-proliferation treaties. In addition, led preparations for the first working visit of a Ukrainian president to Washington. Monitored foreign assistance issues related to Ukraine, as well as formulating policy for consular and visa issues related to Ukraine. Show less

Gaborone, Botswana

Served as the chief substantive reporting officer at the U.S. Embassy in Botswana during the period when neighboring South Africa was ending apartheid. Served as the Ambassador's chief political advisor, analyzed and reported on internal political developments and Botswana's bilateral foreign relations. Followed Botwana's positions in regional and international fora, including the United Nations and engaged in advocacy to encourage Botswana's support of U.S. policies. Reported on major… Show more Served as the chief substantive reporting officer at the U.S. Embassy in Botswana during the period when neighboring South Africa was ending apartheid. Served as the Ambassador's chief political advisor, analyzed and reported on internal political developments and Botswana's bilateral foreign relations. Followed Botwana's positions in regional and international fora, including the United Nations and engaged in advocacy to encourage Botswana's support of U.S. policies. Reported on major developments in Botswana's economy, with special emphasis on diamonds and other minerals, employement generation, labor, investment and development issues. Did extensive reporting on Botswana's diamond industry and also provided Washington with a sharp analysis showing that the government's budget situation was better than they were claiming to outsiders. Worked with the Commercial/Consular officer to encourage potential U.S. investment in Botswana and to ensure fair treatment of U.S. investors. Supported visitors from the U.S. Government, including a team from the General Accounting Office on diamond issues and an Assistant Secretary of the Interior on wildlife management issues. Served as back-up to the Commercial/Consular officer, supporting U.S. exports to Botswana, and facilitating issuance of visas and passports. Show less

Zürich Area, Switzerland

Served as Chief of the American Citizens Services Section, providing assistance to U.S. citizens regarding welfare and whereabouts, death, repatriation, destitution and arrest cases. Performed passport, notarial, and other services for a resident American population of 7,200. Supervised three locally-engaged professional employees. Assisted the work of the consular section also by daily conducting visa interviews, and worked as the post's anti-fraud officer. Provided reporting and analysis… Show more Served as Chief of the American Citizens Services Section, providing assistance to U.S. citizens regarding welfare and whereabouts, death, repatriation, destitution and arrest cases. Performed passport, notarial, and other services for a resident American population of 7,200. Supervised three locally-engaged professional employees. Assisted the work of the consular section also by daily conducting visa interviews, and worked as the post's anti-fraud officer. Provided reporting and analysis on economic and political issues affecting eastern Switzerland and Liechtenstein, as well as eliciting information on social and economic trends in Iran from Iranian visa applicants. Also performed public outreach, particularly with university student groups. Provided back-up support for the Consulate General's communications. Show less

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Co-founder of chemical paint and rust removal service, working with both manufacturing companies and with automobile restoration hobbyists. Took lead responsibility for finance/accounting, human relations, regulatory compliance, as well as credit and accounts receivable management. In addition, worked extensively with partner on sales and production management. The company grew to eight employees and was a the lead company in its field in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area when it was sold in… Show more Co-founder of chemical paint and rust removal service, working with both manufacturing companies and with automobile restoration hobbyists. Took lead responsibility for finance/accounting, human relations, regulatory compliance, as well as credit and accounts receivable management. In addition, worked extensively with partner on sales and production management. The company grew to eight employees and was a the lead company in its field in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area when it was sold in 1987. The company continued to prosper, even in the face of the recession in the early 1980s and the loss of a lead customer in late 1982. In this position, learned a great deal about how the private sector operates and the challenges small businesses face. Among the challenges was ensuring that the chemicals used in processing were handled safely by employees and that waste was disposed in an environmentally proper manner. Show less

Russian Language, Area Studies, Economics

Various courses of professional training, including a 9-month economics course in 1993-4, and 8 months of Russian language training.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), National Security And Strategic Studies, Graduated First In Class

Awarded honorable mention in the Professor Michael J. Handel Essay Award Competition.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Russian Studies

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History, Cum Laude

Diploma