56 APRIL 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL I may be on the opposite side of the table from where I sat before; but many of the values we promote as diplomats are ones that the NGO community promotes, as well. to ending public nance for fossil fuel development. Looking back on 15 years of post-FS life, I’d say I’ve enjoyed multiple rewards: • Financial—NGOs pay less than government or the private sector. But with my annuity, I came out ahead in total income, compared to what I’d have earned staying in the Service. • Family—I never had to be separated from my family; we were able to stay in our home; and my wife was able to continue her career as a real estate agent without interruption (also important nancially!). • Values—I’ve been able to work for organizations where my values and theirs are fully aligned, and the work further informed my commitment. Learning about and advocating for policies and programs critical for our planet has been important. • Travel and contacts—Although in leaving the Foreign Service, I gave up the chance to be posted overseas, I have enjoyed signi cant travel. Work has taken me to Ecuador, Peru, Brazil (twice), the Philippines, Madagascar, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (three times), Tunisia (three times), Morocco, Dubai, and multiple European capitals (Madrid, Rome, Brussels, Paris, and London). And when not traveling, I’m still in touch (via Zoom and WhatsApp) with colleagues and counterparts around the globe. • Change and continuity—Serving as an advocate for people and places underrepresented by their governments, I may be on the opposite side of the table from where I sat before; but many of the values we promote as diplomats are ones that the NGO community promotes, as well. I’m able to point to these shared values when I meet with U.S. government colleagues. Contacts from State Department days From Diplomatic Security to Corporate Security BY JOHN RENDEIRO have often been helpful, whether still serving in the department, or at embassies, or in post-FS positions at the MDBs. In this post–Foreign Service journey, I’m glad that I started young enough to make what I consider a full second career, building on contacts and knowledge gained in my 22 years at State. ey continue as important foundations. Ladd Connell was a Foreign Service o cer from 1986 to 2008, serving overseas in Zagreb, Bermuda, Bangui, and Casablanca, and domestically on the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Haiti country desks, as well as in the Bureau of Economic and Business A airs and on the sta of the under secretary for economic growth, energy, and the environment (E). It is rare to hear anyone who has spent a full career in the United States Foreign Service complain about it, and I am no exception. My years of service included full tours of duty in the USSR, Switzerland, and Russia, plus a number of assignments of shorter duration in several other countries. I served at the Department of State in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), heading up the o ces of Special Investigations, Intelligence and reat Analysis, Antiterrorism Assistance, and nally serving as assistant director of DS for international programs. I was also privileged to spend a full academic year at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, studying instruments of national power with U.S. and foreign military colleagues. Retiring from the Foreign Service in 2006, I accepted a position as vice president for global security and intelligence at International SOS, the world’s largest provider of security and medical assistance for travelers, expats, the U.S. Department of Defense (e.g., TRICARE Overseas Program), and pretty much anyone else in need of risk management services. While it was not an easy call for me to leave the department, it turned out to be a good move—more than 17 years later, I’m still contributing here and maintaining ties with DS through our participation in the Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council. Another huge plus of my job is that I’ve been able to stay in touch with many former government colleagues in their private sector roles. is would be my rst RETIREMENT SUPPLEMENT
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