Abelardo L. Valdez
Encyclopedia
Abelardo L. Valdez is an American lawyer and diplomat. He is currently the President and Vice Chair of the Council of American Ambassadors
. He is also a founder of the Council of American Ambassadors’ Fellowship Program, which trains undergraduates for careers in diplomacy and international affairs. He practices international law in Washington, DC and San Antonio, TX.
From 1979-1981, Ambassador Valdez served as the United States Ambassador and Chief of Protocol of the United States
under President Jimmy Carter
. He also was the Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean of the US Agency for International Development from 1977-1979; General Counsel for the Inter-American Foundation
from 1973-1975; and an attorney for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
from 1971-1973. During his military service, he served as a military aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson
.
Ambassador Valdez is recognized as one of the original proponents and an architect of the North American Free Trade Agreement
. and of a Western Hemisphere Free Trade Area, and served as an advisor on the NAFTA negotiations. He received his LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School
, J.D. degree from Baylor Law School
and a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University
. He also pursued graduate studies in international law at The Hague Academy of International Law in The Netherlands. Valdez served as an editor of the Harvard International Law Journal
. He has lectured and written extensively on international trade and investment issues and US-Latin American relations and has been a visiting lecturer or visiting professor at Harvard University
, Texas A&M University
, Baylor University
, Trinity University
and the University of Santa Clara.
He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. He has served, and continues to serve, as a Director or Trustee of various corporate, professional and educational institutions, including the US Chamber of Commerce, the Council of American Ambassadors
, the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training
, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, The American University, Pan American University Foundation, the Center for International Business of Texas A&M University, and the Development Board of the University of Texas Health Science Center. He also served as the Chairman of the International Committee of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, a member of the Rivlin Commission on the Financial Priorities of the District of Columbia, and an honorary member of the US Christopher Columbus Quincentennial Jubilee Commission.
In addition to his many board affiliations, Ambassador Valdez has received numerous awards for his public service and has been decorated by King Juan Carlos of Spain with the Order of Isabel La Catolica. He has received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Baylor University and the Founder’s Award of the American GI Forum.
He resides in Washington, DC, and San Antonio, Texas.
Council of American Ambassadors
The Council of American Ambassadors is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of former and incumbent non-career United States Ambassadors. The organization provides advice and assistance to the U.S. Department of State, as appropriate, and endeavors to educate the public on foreign policy issues...
. He is also a founder of the Council of American Ambassadors’ Fellowship Program, which trains undergraduates for careers in diplomacy and international affairs. He practices international law in Washington, DC and San Antonio, TX.
From 1979-1981, Ambassador Valdez served as the United States Ambassador and Chief of Protocol of the United States
Chief of Protocol of the United States
The Chief of Protocol is an officer of the United States Department of State responsible for advising the President of the United States, the vice president, and the secretary of state on matters of national and international diplomatic protocol...
under President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
. He also was the Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean of the US Agency for International Development from 1977-1979; General Counsel for the Inter-American Foundation
Inter-American Foundation
The Inter-American Foundation, or IAF, is an independent agency of the United States government that funds development projects undertaken by grassroots groups and nongovernmental organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean...
from 1973-1975; and an attorney for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation is an independent agency of the United States Government that mobilizes U.S. private sector investment in new and emerging markets overseas in order to support both the sustainable economic development of those markets and the creation of American jobs...
from 1971-1973. During his military service, he served as a military aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
.
Ambassador Valdez is recognized as one of the original proponents and an architect of the North American Free Trade Agreement
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
. and of a Western Hemisphere Free Trade Area, and served as an advisor on the NAFTA negotiations. He received his LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
, J.D. degree from Baylor Law School
Baylor Law School
Founded in 1857, Baylor Law School is the oldest law school in Texas and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1931 and a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1938. Baylor Law School is affiliated with Baylor University and located in Waco, Texas...
and a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
. He also pursued graduate studies in international law at The Hague Academy of International Law in The Netherlands. Valdez served as an editor of the Harvard International Law Journal
Harvard International Law Journal
The Harvard International Law Journal is the oldest and most-cited academic journal of international law in the United States. It is run and edited by students at Harvard Law School, but relies on input from peer reviewers...
. He has lectured and written extensively on international trade and investment issues and US-Latin American relations and has been a visiting lecturer or visiting professor at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, Trinity University
Trinity University (Texas)
Trinity University is a private, independent, primarily undergraduate, university in San Antonio, Texas. Its campus is located in the Monte Vista Historic District and adjacent to Brackenridge Park....
and the University of Santa Clara.
He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. He has served, and continues to serve, as a Director or Trustee of various corporate, professional and educational institutions, including the US Chamber of Commerce, the Council of American Ambassadors
Council of American Ambassadors
The Council of American Ambassadors is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of former and incumbent non-career United States Ambassadors. The organization provides advice and assistance to the U.S. Department of State, as appropriate, and endeavors to educate the public on foreign policy issues...
, the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training
Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training
The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training is a nonprofit organization promoting study of American diplomacy and supporting training of foreign service personnel. Located at the George P...
, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, The American University, Pan American University Foundation, the Center for International Business of Texas A&M University, and the Development Board of the University of Texas Health Science Center. He also served as the Chairman of the International Committee of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, a member of the Rivlin Commission on the Financial Priorities of the District of Columbia, and an honorary member of the US Christopher Columbus Quincentennial Jubilee Commission.
In addition to his many board affiliations, Ambassador Valdez has received numerous awards for his public service and has been decorated by King Juan Carlos of Spain with the Order of Isabel La Catolica. He has received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Baylor University and the Founder’s Award of the American GI Forum.
He resides in Washington, DC, and San Antonio, Texas.