Dell, Christopher William, 1956-

Christopher Dell was confirmed by the Senate to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo on July 10, 2009 and he served in Pristina until August 2012. Ambassador Dell currently serves as the Senior Advisor to Fieldstone Africa, a leading independent investment bank in energy and infrastructure. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Kabul from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that, Ambassador Dell served as Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe from 2004 until July 2007, and from 2001-2004, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Angola.

Ambassador Dell also served as the Chief of Mission, U.S. Office, Pristina, Kosovo from 2000 to 2001. Prior to this post, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria from 1997 to 2000; Deputy Director, Office of Regional Political Affairs, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs from 1994 to 1996; and Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Maputo, Mozambique from 1991 to 1994.

In addition, Ambassador Dell served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs from 1989 to 1991 and as Executive Assistant to the Special Negotiator for Greek Bases Agreement, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs from 1987 to 1989. Ambassador Dell was also the Desk Officer for Spain and Portugal, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs from 1986 to 1987; Staff Assistant, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs from 1985 to 1986; Political Officer, U.S. Embassy, Lisbon, Portugal from 1984 to 1985; Vice Consul, U.S. Consulate, Oporto, Portugal from 1983 to 1984; and Vice Consul, U.S. Consulate, Matamoros, Mexico from 1981 to 1983.

Ambassador Dell has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2004 and the State Department’s Robert C. Frasure Memorial Award for his role in helping Angola transition to peace after nearly 40 years of conflict. In 2000, the President of Bulgaria granted Ambassador Dell the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Degree. He was granted the Ghazii Mir Masjidi Khan High State Award by President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, and the Order for Peace, Democracy and Humanism “Ibrahim Rugova” by President Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo. Upon his retirement, Ambassador Dell was awarded the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Medal by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also received a Kellett Fellowship from Columbia University (for study at Oxford University) in 1978.

Ambassador Dell graduated in 1980 from Balliol College, Oxford University, where he earned an M.Phil. degree in international relations. He received his B.A. in 1978 from Columbia College, Columbia University, from which he was graduated Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and Bulgarian.