Kenneth H. Merten
| Kenneth Merten | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Special Coordinator for Haiti | |
|
Assumed office August 17, 2015 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Thomas Adams |
| United States Ambassador to Croatia | |
|
In office October 30, 2012 – July 18, 2015 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | James Foley |
| Succeeded by | Julieta Valls Noyes |
| United States Ambassador to Haiti | |
|
In office August 25, 2009 – July 20, 2012 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Janet Sanderson |
| Succeeded by | Pamela White |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1961 (age 54–55) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Merten |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Miami University |
Kenneth H. Merten (born 1961) is an American diplomat and the current United States Ambassador to Croatia. In addition to his current posting, he has previously had both domestic and overseas diplomatic assignments.
Biography
Early life
Merten was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but moved to Hudson, Ohio when he was twelve, and considers Hudson his home.[1]
He attended Hudson Junior High School and the Walsh Jesuit High School and credits a history teacher named Mark Massa with being influential in his choice of career.[1] Merten graduated from Walsh Jesuit in 1979, and went to Miami University, where he graduated from in 1983 with a BA in diplomacy and foreign affairs.[1] He has also studied at the Aix-Marseille University, the University of Graz and the American University.[1][2]
Diplomatic career
In 1987, Merten joined the United States Foreign Service.[3] Since then, he has served both at Department of State facilities in Washington, DC and international assignments.[3] Prior to his appointment as ambassador to Haiti, his international experience consisted of assignments in Paris, Brussels and Bonn.[3] He also served in Haiti as vice consul and economic counselor between 1988 and 1990 and between 1998 and 2000 respectively.[1] In 2009, he was appointed to the position of ambassador to Haiti, and began his duties as such on 24 August 2009.[1][3] In 2012, he was appointed to the position of ambassador to Croatia and began his duties as such on 30 October 2012.[4]
Honors and awards
In July 2012, President Michel Martelly of Haiti awarded Merten with the National Order of Honour and Merit to the rank of Grand Cross for his diplomatic excellence and all his works done for Haiti.[5][6]
Personal life
He is married to Susan Greenman Merten, with whom he has had two daughters, Caryl and Elisabeth.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kenneth Merten, U.S. ambassador to Haiti, calls Hudson, Ohio, his home". Cleveland Plain Dealer. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
- ↑ "Kenneth H. Merten, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, arrives in Port-au-Prince". US embassy in Port-au-Prince. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kenneth H. Merten". US Department of State. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
- ↑ http://zagreb.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html
- ↑ Press, ed. (15 August 2015). "Haiti - Politic : Return of Kenneth H. Merten in Haiti". Haiti Libre. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ↑ Staff, ed. (22 July 2012). "Haiti’s Michel Martelly Gives Award to Outgoing United States Ambassador". Caribbean Journal. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
External links
Media related to Kenneth H. Merten at Wikimedia Commons
- Ambassador biography, Embassy of the United States Port-au-Prince Haiti
- Appearances on C-SPAN
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Richard Verma |
Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs Acting 2011 |
Succeeded by David Adams |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by Janet Sanderson |
United States Ambassador to Haiti 2009–2012 |
Succeeded by Pamela White |
| Preceded by James Foley |
United States Ambassador to Croatia 2012–2015 |
Succeeded by Julieta Valls Noyes |
| Preceded by Thomas Adams |
Special Coordinator for Haiti 2015–present |
Incumbent |
| ||||||
