Briggs Resume

JACQUELYN O. BRIGGS

***** ******* *** *****

Sahuarita, AZ 85629

520-***-**** E-mail:

PROFILE: Practical and confidant operations manager with extensive experience managing service delivery at American embassies abroad. Expertise in directing major events, handling high profile guests, strategic planning, contracts, mediation, organizational development and high stress crisis/risk management. Analytical problem-solver, and a fair and practical leader. Multi-lingual: English - French - Greek - Portuguese - Creole

QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS

● Special Events ● Services Agreement ● Special Amenities

● Protocol ● Presidential Visits • Top Secret Clearance

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

Special Events – Served as Special Assistant to Ambassador (Bahamas), wealthy businessman who enjoyed hosting events for The Bahamas government officials and high-level US Government visitors. However, “inept” in putting on such events as evidenced by poorly organized events with inadequate staff and exorbitant costs. Developed rapport with local resort managers and negotiated reasonable prices to produce elegant supper/receptions for Ambassador’s residence two to three times monthly. RESULT: Improved public image of U.S. government to local officials and Washington headquarters.

Deputy Chief of Mission (Charge d’Affaires) Ghana, West Africa – Scheduled special meetings and events with Ghana Government officials; set special breakfast meeting with Ghana President; hosted dinner for former President Carter in personal home during his Ghana visit. Created positive image of President Carter’s active involvement in foreign elections. RESULT: Excellent visit of good will with Ghanaian government that reflected positive image of U.S.

Services Agreement for Foreign Affairs Agencies at the U.S. Embassy - Belize – Recognized need to resolve payment for services issue. No existing program in place to charge for administrative services for over 300 government employees with several federal agencies. Washington had failed to establish equitable procedures to bill foreign affairs agencies for received administrative services at Embassy. Agencies dissatisfied with lack of equitable billing practices for services. Created payment system for employees to receive all services (maintenance and repairs, utilities, contracting services, procurement, fiscal, Human Resources, housing/furnishings) through headquarters’ central billing offices. RESULT: Equitable solution that saved money for agencies and established good will with government employees. Similar programs still currently in place.

Amenities – Organized, designed and supervised renovation for Ambassador’s residence. Residence (Haiti) furnishings were shabby and needed replacement, but cost prohibitive for high quality furniture needed for elegant residence of U.S. Government representative. Acquired Washington approval and traveled to U.S. to purchase appropriate fabrics for recovering furniture. RESULT: Buying fabrics wholesale and using talented local upholsterer in Haiti saved USG approximately $10-12k.

Protocol - Coordinated with several foreign embassies for official trip to the White House to present credentials of their Ambassadors to President Clinton. Asked by Office of Protocol to accompany several ambassadors to present credentials to President Clinton to ensure positive U.S. image. Provided ambassadors with limo service to the White House and accompanied to the Oval Office to meet the President. RESULT: Very successful meetings, which helped strengthen relationships with foreign governments.

Presidential Visit – Organized President Clinton’s visit to Greece. Failure to pay close attention to details of presidential visit, risked losing “face” with the State Department and Greek Government. Organized entire event including selecting hotels and accommodations for Presidential party; secured vehicles; organized site for meeting with embassy officials; planned motorcades and oversaw general visit requirements. RESULT: Excellent, well-planned visit, which created very positive image for the U.S. and strengthened ties between the U.S. and Greece

EDUCATION

BGS – Political Science, French - University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Foreign Service Institute – Arlington, VA

Mid-Level Professional Training – Personnel Management – Budget/Fiscal Management

Contracting/Procurement – Diversity Training – Senior Level Leadership Training

JACQUELYN O. BRIGGS Page Two

OBJECTIVE: A management position encompassing innovative problem-solving, team building skills, and experience to provide exceptional service for VIP guests.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Worldwide 1980 – 2004

Senior Foreign Service Officer

● Managed and/or directed all administrative and management functions required to maintain embassy operations

● Ensured correct HR, fiscal maintenance, procurement, logistics, transportation, housing, and contracting

● Provided event planning

● Performed facilities management

U.S. Diplomacy Center – Bureau of Public Affairs Washington, DC

Management Officer

● Researched and conducted fundraising and donor activities in developing the Museum of American Diplomacy

● Maintained oversight of all administrative functions, security, budget planning and personnel management

University of Arizona Tucson, AZ

Diplomat in Residence

● Recruited and counseled students and professionals on Department of State employment opportunities

● Delivered series of lectures on campus

● Delivered speeches to community organizations throughout three-state region

● Prepared students for internships and foreign service exams

● Negotiated key intern position for students abroad

American Embassy Athens, Greece

Counselor for Administration

● Coordinated administrative functions in support of 600 American and local employees

● Directed Human Resources, facilities maintenance, contract negotiations, administration, and real estate

● Planned, coordinated and directed special events and functions

● Managed multi-million dollar budgets

● Maintained oversight of American Government land purchase from Greek government to improve security at

American Embassy

American Embassy Accra, Ghana

Deputy Chief of Mission

● Served as Chief Operating Officer for 300 embassy staff and employees from various federal agencies

● Planned and coordinated special events and embassy VIP visits including congressional delegations and

former President Jimmy Carter

● Performed as charge ad interim in ambassador’s absence

Executive Secretariat, Department of State Washington, DC

Senior Watch Officer

● Led team in high stress operation responsible for monitoring and reporting on crises in foreign countries impacting

American citizens and U.S. government property from natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and deaths of citizens

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Acting Director Regional Affairs, Bureau of African Affairs

Deputy Director West African Affairs, Bureau of African Affairs

Administrative Officer American Embassy, Nassau, The Bahamas

General Services Officer American Embassy, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

General Services Officer American Embassy, Lome, Togo

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Governing Board Member, La Frontera

TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS

PCs – Internet – MS Word – Excel - PowerPoint

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