Ambassador James D. McGee

Ambassador James D. McGee is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service in the class of Minister Counselor. With the Senate's confirmation of his nomination as Ambassador to Zimbabwe on October 26, Ambassador McGee was sworn in on November 6, 2007 and served until August 2009. Prior to his nomination, he served as Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar (2004-2007) and as Ambassador to Swaziland (2002-2004). While serving as Ambassador to Madagascar, he also served as Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros (2006-2007).

Ambassador McGee was awarded the Mark Palmer Prize by CCD in 2011 for his service as Ambassador to Zimbabwe. McGee played a leading role in calling for free and fair elections and speaking out against human rights abuses committed by the Zimbabwean government.  McGee worked to draw attention to political violence in Zimbabwe and led various delegations of diplomats through the country to assess the electoral and post-election environment. Additionally, McGee provided unwavering support for various programs to foster civic participation, defend human rights, and strengthen the electoral process in the highly volatile and challenging environment of Zimbabwe in 2008.

Ambassador McGee began his career in the Foreign Service in 1981 and served as Third Secretary and Vice Consul at the American Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria, from 1982 to 1984. From 1984 to 1986, he served as Administrative Officer at the American Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan. Ambassador McGee served as Second Secretary and Supervisory General Services Officer at the American Embassy in The Hague, The Netherlands, from 1986 to 1989. From 1989 to 1991, he served as Administrative Officer at the American Consulate General in Bombay, India.

Ambassador McGee was assigned to the U.S. Department of State as a Special Assistant in the Bureau of Finance and Management Policy from 1991 to 1992. In early 1992, he volunteered for duty at the American Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, where he served as Administrative Counselor from 1992 to 1995. He served as Administrative Counselor at the American Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, from 1995 to 1998, and as Administrative Counselor at the American Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, from 1998 to 2001.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ambassador McGee is a graduate of Indiana University. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1974 and completed Vietnamese-language studies at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. Ambassador McGee earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses during his duty in Vietnam.