Kenneth H. Merten
Encyclopedia
Kenneth H. Merten is an American diplomat and the current United States Ambassador to Haiti
. In addition to his current posting, he has previously had both domestic and overseas diplomatic assignments.
when he was twelve, and considers Hudson his home.
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. 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. He has also studied at the Aix-Marseille University, the University of Graz
and the American University
.
. Since then, he has served both at Department of State facilities in Washington, DC and international assignments. Prior to his appointment as ambassador to Haiti, his international experience consisted of assignments in Paris
, Brussels
and Bonn
. He also served in Haiti as vice consul and economic counselor between 1988 and 1990 and between 1998 and 2000 respectively. In 2009, he was appointed to the position of ambassador to Haiti, and began his duties as such on 24 August 2009.
United States Ambassador to Haiti
This is a list of United States Ambassadors to Haiti. The current ambassador is Kenneth H. Merten.-See also:*Haiti – United States relations*Foreign relations of Haiti*Ambassadors of the United States-References:*-External links:* * *...
. In addition to his current posting, he has previously had both domestic and overseas diplomatic assignments.
Early life
Merten was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but moved to Hudson, OhioHudson, Ohio
Hudson is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 22,262 at the 2010 census. It is an affluent exurban community and is part of the Akron, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area...
when he was twelve, and considers Hudson his home.
He attended Hudson Junior High School and the Walsh Jesuit High School
Walsh Jesuit High School
Walsh Jesuit High School is a private, Jesuit high school in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Founded in 1965, the school was funded by a gift from and named after Cornelius and Jane Walsh. It has been recognized fifty times as a Green Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S...
and credits a history teacher named Mark Massa with being influential in his choice of career. Merten graduated from Walsh Jesuit in 1979, and went to Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
, where he graduated from in 1983 with a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in diplomacy and foreign affairs. He has also studied at the Aix-Marseille University, the University of Graz
University of Graz
The University of Graz , a university located in Graz, Austria, is the second-largest and second-oldest university in Austria....
and the American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
.
Diplomatic career
In 1987, Merten joined the United States Foreign ServiceUnited States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
. Since then, he has served both at Department of State facilities in Washington, DC and international assignments. Prior to his appointment as ambassador to Haiti, his international experience consisted of assignments in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
and Bonn
Bonn
Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999....
. He also served in Haiti as vice consul and economic counselor between 1988 and 1990 and between 1998 and 2000 respectively. In 2009, he was appointed to the position of ambassador to Haiti, and began his duties as such on 24 August 2009.
Personal life
He is married to Susan Greenman Merten, with whom he has had two daughters, Caryl and Elisabeth.External links
- Ambassador biography, Embassy of the United States Port Au Prince Haiti