Global YP Happy Hour w/Diplomat in Residence Allen DuBose – Aug 5

Allen DuBose

Diplomat in Residence, South Region

Wednesday, August 5 at 8:00 p.m.

Join YP Global for the next “Drinks & Dialogue” virtual happy hour on Wednesday, August 5th at 8 PM.  Allen DuBose, the Diplomat in Residence for the South Region (which includes Northern AL, Northern GA, and TN), will discuss his experience working for the U.S. Department of State. Please come ready with questions for Allen! Zoom registration below.

About Allen DuBose

Tours: Hermosillo, Mexico (consular); Guayaquil, Ecuador (general services officer); OBO WHA (area manager); NEA/SCA (assignments officer); Dubai, United Arab Emirates (management officer); EUR-IO/EX (post management officer)

Career Track: Management

Years of Service: 14

Prior Experience: I spent more than 15 years working in operations and finance before joining the Foreign Service. Besides being the Finance Director at Everglades Direct Inc., a business consultant, and entrepreneur, I rose to the level of Director of Global Gateway Management for North America at satellite communications company, Iridium, LLC. It was there that I was responsible for the establishment of the service provider networks in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. This is also where my interest in working internationally was sparked.

Languages: Spanish

Education: BA in economics from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. M.B.A. in finance from Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA

Interesting Experience: I joined the Foreign Service as a Management Generalist, already having extensive experience in private industry. It didn’t take long for me to see how rewarding and also challenging it was to apply previously gained business skills in complex international environments. My interesting experiences are a collection of experiences I had applying these business skills while serving overseas.

During my tour in Mexico I headed the fraud prevention unit. When researching the case of a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident who had applied for American citizenship for her baby I noticed her unusual travel pattern. By using some of the interview skills I developed in private industry, the American Citizen Services Chief and I got her to acknowledge that the father of her child was a Mexican national and not her American citizen husband; making the child ineligible for American citizenship.

As the General Services Officer in Guayaquil I interfaced with local business professionals to secure services including cable TV and internet, moving and storage, customs, hotels, housing, labor, facility repairs, auto sales, and travel support among other things; often in Spanish. The customer service proficiency, negotiation skills, and financial knowledge I learned before I joined the Department of State made each of these tasks much easier.

The broad and unique problem solving demands placed on a Management Officer in the Foreign Service exceed those of similarly titled jobs in private industry. My ability to adapt, improvise, and apply sound judgement has often been more important than simply having subject matter expertise. At the same time, the experience of living abroad has been priceless to my family and me. By virtue of having the opportunity to live or attend school abroad, any member of the Foreign Service family is guaranteed to have too many interesting experiences to recount.

Last Post: Dubai, UAE

Future Global YP Programs

THE MISSION of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world.

THE VISION of  the Tennessee World Affairs Council is a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.   

Learn more about the Council and find how you can join, donate and volunteer at: www.TNWAC.org  — 

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