We are excited to be hosting Diplomat in Residence Mr. Isiah Parnell. Mr. Parnell is a career Foreign Service Officer who joined the Department of State in August of 1984.  He has served in nine overseas posts in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and Africa.  He is a member of the Senior Foreign Service and holds the rank of Minister Counselor. He served as the Minister Counselor of Management Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City from 2006-2009, as Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Kingston from August 2009 -2012; and most recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mr. Parnell was born in High Springs, Florida.  He earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. in Government and Economics; a M.A. degree in Urban Planning/Economics from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.; and has studied for a Doctorate in Public Administration at the University of Colorado in Denver.

Mr. Parnell served in the U.S Army from 1981-1984.  He is married to Tamice Gordon Parnell of Colorado and they have four daughters.

He will speak about the Department of State and his career in the Foreign Service followed by a Q&A. This is a great way to meet with and learn from a career diplomat!