Harry K. Thomas Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Thomas
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| United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe | |
| In office February 25, 2016 – March 25, 2018 |
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| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | David Wharton |
| Succeeded by | Brian A. Nichols |
| United States Ambassador to the Philippines | |
| In office April 27, 2010 – October 16, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Kristie Kenney |
| Succeeded by | Philip S. Goldberg |
| 27th Director General of the Foreign Service | |
| In office September 21, 2007 – June 24, 2009 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | George McDade Staples |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Jo Powell |
| 21st Executive Secretary to the Department of State | |
| In office July 25, 2005 – July 27, 2007 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Karl W. Hofmann |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Bennett Smith |
| United States Ambassador to Bangladesh | |
| In office August 14, 2003 – July 2, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Mary Ann Peters |
| Succeeded by | Patricia A. Butenis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Harry Keels Thomas Jr.
June 3, 1956 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouses | Ericka Ovette Mithi Aquino |
| Children | Casey Merie |
| Alma mater | College of the Holy Cross (BA) Columbia University (MS) |
Harry Keels Thomas Jr. was born on June 3, 1956. He is an American diplomat who worked as a U.S. ambassador. An ambassador is a special representative from one country to another. Mr. Thomas served as the U.S. ambassador to three different countries: Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe.
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Education and Early Life
Harry Thomas Jr. studied at the College of the Holy Cross. He earned a Master's of Science degree from Columbia University. This degree was in Urban Planning, which is about designing and organizing cities. He also received an honorary doctorate from Loyola University Maryland. He gave a speech there in May 2010.
A Career in Diplomacy
Mr. Thomas started his career in the Foreign Service in 1984. The Foreign Service is a group of people who work for their country in other nations. They help build good relationships between countries.
Early Diplomatic Roles
His first jobs as a diplomat were in different U.S. embassies. An embassy is like an office for a country in another nation. He worked in New Delhi, India, and Harare, Zimbabwe. He also served in Kaduna, Nigeria, and Lima, Peru.
Important Leadership Positions
Mr. Thomas held several important roles in the United States Department of State. This department handles foreign affairs for the U.S. He was the Executive Secretary of the United States Department of State. He also served as the Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service. He was also the Director of the State Department Operations Center. For a time, he was a Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
Ambassadorial Appointments
Mr. Thomas became the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh in 2003. He served in this role until 2005. From 2007 to 2009, he was the Director General of the United States Foreign Service.
In 2009, President Barack Obama chose him to be the Ambassador to the Philippines. He officially started this role in April 2010. He was the first African American to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.
Later, in 2015, he was chosen to be the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe. He began this role in December 2015. He returned to the United States in March 2018. After this, he planned to retire from the Foreign Service.
Languages Spoken
Mr. Thomas is skilled in several languages. He speaks English and Spanish. He also knows Hindi, Tagalog, and Bengali. These languages helped him connect with people in the countries where he served.
Awards and Recognition
Mr. Thomas has received special honors for his work.
International Honours
Philippines: He received the Grand Cross (Datu) of the Order of Sikatuna from the Philippines. This is a very high honor given by the Philippine government. He received it on October 14, 2013.
