James W. Pardew has been Ambassador of the United States to Bulgaria since 2002, a period encompassing Bulgaria?s admission to NATO, completion of its accession negotiations for European Union membership and the dedication of a new $70 million U.S. Embassy in Sofia.
Ambassador Pardew previously was the U.S. negotiator of the Framework Agreement in Macedonia, which prevented a full-scale civil war there in 2001. He earlier served as Deputy Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Democracy in the Balkans during the conflict in Kosovo and subsequent peace implementation from 1999-2001. He directed the Military Train and Equip Program for Bosnia from 1996 to 1999, and represented the Secretary of Defense on the U.S. negotiating team that concluded the Dayton Peace Agreement ending the war in Bosnia. His original appointment to the rank of Ambassador took place on August 1, 1997.
Ambassador Pardew's military service included tours as Vice Director for Intelligence, J-2, Joint Staff from 1992 to 1994. He served as Director of Foreign Intelligence and Chief of Current Intelligence, Army General Staff, from 1988 to 1992 during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the war with Iraq. While on active military service, he served extensively abroad, including assignments in Germany, Turkey, Japan, a combat tour in Vietnam, and service in Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia.
He is a recipient of the Department of State Distinguished Honor Award, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star (2), and Air Medal.
Ambassador Pardew was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and earned a B.S. degree in Journalism at Arkansas State University in 1966 and an M.A. in Political Science at Loyola University of Chicago in 1973.
Ambassador Pardew and his wife have three sons.
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