Thomas A. Shannon Jr.

Thomas Alfred Shannon Jr., born in nineteen fifty-eight, is a distinguished American diplomat whose career spans several decades in the United States Foreign Service. Since nineteen eighty-four, he has dedicated himself to advancing U.S. interests abroad, serving in various capacities in embassies around the globe.

Shannon's notable roles include serving as the United States Ambassador to Brazil from two thousand ten to two thousand thirteen and as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs from two thousand five to two thousand nine. His expertise in international relations led him to become Counselor of the United States Department of State from two thousand thirteen to two thousand sixteen, and he briefly held the position of acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in two thousand eleven.

In February two thousand sixteen, Shannon was confirmed as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, a role he held until his departure in early two thousand eighteen. During his tenure, he also served as acting United States Secretary of State in early two thousand seventeen, bridging the gap until Rex Tillerson's confirmation. Following his retirement, he joined the law firm Arnold & Porter as a senior international policy advisor.

Currently, Shannon is the Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, where he co-directs the Program in History and the Practice of Diplomacy. He also contributes to the Inter-American Dialogue as co-chair of its board of directors and serves on the board of directors for the Global Americans think tank.