Eric G. John | |
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United States Ambassador to Thailand | |
In office October 22, 2007 – December 4, 2010 |
|
President |
George W. Bush Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Ralph L. Boyce |
Succeeded by | Kristie Kenney |
Personal details | |
Born | c. 1960 (age 56–57) Indiana, United States |
Spouse(s) | Sophia John |
Children | 2 |
Eric G. John (born c. 1960) is the current Senior Advisor for Security Negotiations and Agreements and the former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, having been appointed October 22, 2007. Ambassador John joined the Foreign Service in 1983 and has served primarily in East Asia. He has three tours in Korea, most recently as the Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. He also served as the Deputy Director of Korean Affairs in Washington, D.C. His other tours include Deputy Principal Officer of the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; the Orderly Departure Program at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand; and the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In 2005, Ambassador John was named Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia. He currently serves as the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
The ambassador grew up in New Castle, Ind. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a graduate degree in National Security Studies from the National War College. He speaks Korean and Vietnamese. The ambassador is married and has had a son and daughter. On August 27, 2010, his daughter Nicole fell to her death in NYC from a window ledge. She was aged 17.
Ambassador John earned a B.S. in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and a master's degree in National Security Studies from the National War College.
Ambassador John learned Portuguese in Brazil as a high school exchange student with AFS Intercultural Programs. He can speak Korean, Vietnamese and Thai.