Paul W. Jones
Encyclopedia
Paul Wayne Jones is an American diplomat who is currently serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia
.
. He earned his B.A. from Cornell University
. His post-graduate work includes a Masters of Arts in Public Administration from University of Virginia
and a Masters of Science in National Security Affairs from the Naval War College
.
in 1987. For the next two years, he served as consular and political officer in Bogota, Colombia, during a period when narco-traffickers threatened the country. He returned to Washington in 1989, where he worked in the State Department’s 24 hour Operations Center during the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, U.S. military operations in Panama and coup attempts in the Philippines. Jones' next assignment was in Moscow
, from 1992 to 1994. Jones returned to Washington as desk officer for the Benelux
countries. After the Dayton Agreement
, Jones was sent to Sarajevo
beginning in January 1996 as the Executive Assistant to the Head of Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Ambassador Robert Frowick. Jones was then selected by Ambassador Christopher R. Hill
to be the first Deputy Chief of Mission to Macedonia
, where he served from the summer of 1996 to 1999.
After a year at the Naval War College
, Jones served on the Secretary of State's staff as Director of the Secretariat Staff, working the transition between Secretaries Madeleine Albright
and Colin Powell
. He then became Director of the Balkans office in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
. Jones graduated from the State Department’s Senior Seminar in 2004, and then was assigned as Deputy Chief of Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna
until 2005.
Jones' career began to focus on Asia
in 2005, when he was assigned as Chargé d'Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Manila
, under Ambassador Kristie Kenney
. In January 2009, Richard Holbrooke asked Jones to serve as his Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan
and Pakistan
. Jones worked intensively with Holbrooke on Afghanistan and Pakistan until assuming his new role as the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia in September 2010.
for the position of Ambassador to Malaysia on July 12, 2010. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 5, 2010, and he was sworn in by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
in Washington DC on September 8. Jones arrived in Malaysia on September 13 and presented his Letter of Credence from President Obama to the King of Malaysia, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, at the Palace on October 18, 2010.
In his role as ambassador, Jones has emphasized strengthening ties between the United States and Malaysia in education and exchanges, science and technology, trade and investment, entrepreneurship, and security. During Jones' tenure, both Secretary of State Clinton and United States Secretary of Defense
Robert Gates
separately made their first ever visits to Malaysia, in November 2010.
Memorial Award for peace building in the southern Philippines
in 2008. He is the recipient of the Presidential Meritorious Service Award and several Superior Honor Awards.
, India, to British parents. His father, John Wayne Jones, was born and raised in Missouri and was a veteran of World War II
in the Pacific. His great-grandfather was the physician Sir William Hale-White
and his great-great-grandfather was the author William Hale White
, who wrote under the pen name Mark Rutherford. He is also the nephew of sailor and author Hal Roth
. He has two sisters; one is a physician and the other a schoolteacher.
Jones is married to Catherine Jones, an award-winning author and freelance writer, who is the daughter of retired U.S. Ambassador Brandon Grove
and Marie Cheremeteff Abernethy. They have two children, Aleksandra and Hale. Jones speaks Spanish and Russian.
United States Ambassador to Malaysia
-Ambassadors:* Embassy Kuala Lumpur was established on August 31, 1957, with Wright in charge.-See also:*Malaysia – United States relations*Foreign relations of Malaysia*Ambassadors of the United States-References:*-External links:* * *...
.
Early life and education
Jones was born and raised in Yorktown Heights, New YorkYorktown Heights, New York
Yorktown Heights is a census-designated place in the town of Yorktown in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 1,781 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Yorktown Heights is located at ....
. He earned his B.A. from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
. His post-graduate work includes a Masters of Arts in Public Administration from University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and a Masters of Science in National Security Affairs from the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
.
Diplomatic career
Jones 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...
in 1987. For the next two years, he served as consular and political officer in Bogota, Colombia, during a period when narco-traffickers threatened the country. He returned to Washington in 1989, where he worked in the State Department’s 24 hour Operations Center during the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, U.S. military operations in Panama and coup attempts in the Philippines. Jones' next assignment was in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, from 1992 to 1994. Jones returned to Washington as desk officer for the Benelux
Benelux
The Benelux is an economic union in Western Europe comprising three neighbouring countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. These countries are located in northwestern Europe between France and Germany...
countries. After the Dayton Agreement
Dayton Agreement
The General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also known as the Dayton Agreement, Dayton Accords, Paris Protocol or Dayton-Paris Agreement, is the peace agreement reached at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio in November 1995, and formally signed in Paris on...
, Jones was sent to Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
beginning in January 1996 as the Executive Assistant to the Head of Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Ambassador Robert Frowick. Jones was then selected by Ambassador Christopher R. Hill
Christopher R. Hill
Christopher Robert Hill is an American diplomat who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq.On July 1, 2010, Hill was chosen to be the dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver...
to be the first Deputy Chief of Mission to Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, where he served from the summer of 1996 to 1999.
After a year at the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
, Jones served on the Secretary of State's staff as Director of the Secretariat Staff, working the transition between Secretaries Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Korbelová Albright is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99–0...
and Colin Powell
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
. He then became Director of the Balkans office in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
In the United States Government, the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs is part of the U.S. Department of State, charged with implementing U.S. foreign policy and promoting U.S. interests in Europe and Eurasia , as well as advising the Under Secretary for Political Affairs...
. Jones graduated from the State Department’s Senior Seminar in 2004, and then was assigned as Deputy Chief of Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
until 2005.
Jones' career began to focus on Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
in 2005, when he was assigned as Chargé d'Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, under Ambassador Kristie Kenney
Kristie Kenney
Kristie Anne Kenney is an American diplomat and the current United States Ambassador to Thailand. She previously served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines. She is the first female U.S. Ambassador to both countries...
. In January 2009, Richard Holbrooke asked Jones to serve as his Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Jones worked intensively with Holbrooke on Afghanistan and Pakistan until assuming his new role as the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia in September 2010.
Ambassadorship
Jones was nominated by President Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
for the position of Ambassador to Malaysia on July 12, 2010. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on August 5, 2010, and he was sworn in by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
in Washington DC on September 8. Jones arrived in Malaysia on September 13 and presented his Letter of Credence from President Obama to the King of Malaysia, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, at the Palace on October 18, 2010.
In his role as ambassador, Jones has emphasized strengthening ties between the United States and Malaysia in education and exchanges, science and technology, trade and investment, entrepreneurship, and security. During Jones' tenure, both Secretary of State Clinton and United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
Robert Gates
Robert Gates
Dr. Robert Michael Gates is a retired civil servant and university president who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Prior to this, Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W....
separately made their first ever visits to Malaysia, in November 2010.
Awards and honors
Jones received the Robert C. FrasureRobert C. Frasure
Robert C. Frasure was an American diplomat and the first United States Ambassador to Estonia following Estonia's regained independence from the Soviet Union.-Biography:...
Memorial Award for peace building in the southern Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 2008. He is the recipient of the Presidential Meritorious Service Award and several Superior Honor Awards.
Personal
Jones' mother, Evelyn Hale White Jones, was born in MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India, to British parents. His father, John Wayne Jones, was born and raised in Missouri and was a veteran of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the Pacific. His great-grandfather was the physician Sir William Hale-White
William Hale-White
Sir William Hale-White , was a distinguished British physician and medical biographer. He was the son of writer Mark Rutherford. During the First World War he was a colonel in the RAMC and was created KBE in 1919...
and his great-great-grandfather was the author William Hale White
William Hale White
William Hale White , known by his pseudonym Mark Rutherford, was a British writer and civil servant.-Life and career:White was born in Bedford and educated at Bedford Modern School...
, who wrote under the pen name Mark Rutherford. He is also the nephew of sailor and author Hal Roth
Hal Roth
Hal Roth was an American sailor and author. In 1971 he was awarded the Blue Water Medal of the Cruising Club of America. He died of lung cancer.Hal Roth was an avid sailor and prolific sailing writer...
. He has two sisters; one is a physician and the other a schoolteacher.
Jones is married to Catherine Jones, an award-winning author and freelance writer, who is the daughter of retired U.S. Ambassador Brandon Grove
Brandon Grove
Brandon Hambright Grove, Jr. is a former first United States Ambassador to German Democratic Republic or GDR and Congo-Kinshasa and serves on the Board of directors of the American Academy of Diplomacy....
and Marie Cheremeteff Abernethy. They have two children, Aleksandra and Hale. Jones speaks Spanish and Russian.
External links
- Ambassador Jones' Facebook
- Ambassador Jones' Twitter
- Jones up to the task of driving US-Malaysia relations, The Star, February 27, 2011.
- TV series to feature students’ experience living in the US, The Star, January 17, 2011.
- US, Malaysia moving with the times, New Straits Times, December 20, 2010.
- New US envoy lauds Malaysia’s role in Afghanistan, The Star, October 20, 2010.
- New U.S. Ambassador to Further Strengthen Ties, The Star, September 9, 2010.