US Ambassador-designate arrives

New United States Ambassador-designate Perry Holloway arrived in Guyana on Thursday and he will be shortly presenting his credentials to President David Granger.

Guyana has been without an ambassador for just over a year following the end of tour of Ambassador Brendt Hardt.

According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Georgetown, Holloway was confirmed by the United States Senate in August and he was sworn in as Ambassador to Guyana on September 18th.

Perry Holliday and his wife Rosaura (US Embassy photo)
Perry Holliday and his wife Rosaura (US Embassy photo)

The Embassy said Holloway, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Minister-Counselor class, most recently served as Political-Military Counselor at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan (2013 – July 2014).

“Known as a talented leader, consensus builder and manager, with broad, high-level policy experience in Latin America and in managing the interagency process, Ambassa-dor Holloway will bring essential skills to the task of furthering bilateral relations with the Government of Guyana, an important U.S. partner in Latin America and within the Organization of American States,” the statement added.

Previously, Ambassador Holloway served in the Department of State as Deputy Chief of Mission, at the US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia (2010 – 2013); Deputy Chief of Mission, at the US Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay (2009 – 2010); Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, at the US Embassy in Bogota, Columbia (2007 – 2009); Deputy Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, of the US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia (2005 – 2007); Andean Counterdrug Initiative Coordinator, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Washington, D.C. (2004 – 2005), Director; Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy, Guatemala City, Guatemala (2000 – 2003); General Services Officer, US Embassy, Quito, Ecuador (1997 – 2000); Administrative Officer, US Consulate, Tijuana, Mexico (1994 – 1997); General Services Officer, US Embassy, San Salvador, El Salvador (1992 – 1994); Ambassador’s Staff Assistant, US Embassy, Bogota, Colombia (1990 – 1991); and Consular Officer, US Embassy, Bogota, Colombia (1989 – 1990).

Holloway, who is fluent in Spanish, earned a B.A. in foreign languages from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, an M.A. in International Business Sciences from the University of South Carolina; and an M.A. in National Resources Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.

He is also the recipient three Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards, eight Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Awards from the Department of State.

Ambassador Holloway and his wife, Rosaura, have two children.