Kenneth H. Merten

Kenneth H. Merten (born 1961) is an American diplomat and the current Haiti Special Coordinator as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.[1] He acted as Ambassador to Croatia from 2012 to 2015 and U.S. Ambassador to Haiti from 2009 to 2012.

Kenneth Merten
Special Coordinator for Haiti
Incumbent
Assumed office August 17, 2015
President	Barack Obama Donald Trump
Preceded by	Thomas C. Adams
United States Ambassador to Croatia
In office October 30, 2012 – July 18, 2015
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	James Foley
Succeeded by	Julieta Valls Noyes
United States Ambassador to Haiti
In office August 25, 2009 – July 20, 2012
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Janet Sanderson
Succeeded by	Pamela White
Personal details
Born	1961 (age 59–60) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Susan Merten
Children	2
Alma mater	Miami University

Biography

Early life

Merten was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but moved to Hudson, Ohio when he was twelve, and considers Hudson his home.[2]

He attended Hudson Junior High School and the Walsh Jesuit High School and credits a history teacher named Mark Massa with being influential in his choice of career.[2] Merten graduated from Walsh Jesuit in 1979, and went to Miami University, where he graduated from in 1983 with a BA in diplomacy and foreign affairs.[2] He has also studied at Aix-Marseille University, the University of Graz and the American University.[2][3]

Diplomatic career

In 1987, Merten joined the United States Foreign Service.[4] Since then, he has served both at Department of State facilities in Washington, DC and international assignments.[4] Prior to his appointment as ambassador to Haiti, his international experience consisted of assignments in Paris, Brussels and Bonn.[4] He also served in Haiti as vice consul and economic counselor between 1988 and 1990 and between 1998 and 2000 respectively.[2] In 2009, he was appointed to the position of ambassador to Haiti, and began his duties as such on 24 August 2009.[2][4] In 2012, he was appointed to the position of ambassador to Croatia and began his duties as such on 30 October 2012.[5]

As Haiti Special Coordinator during the 2015-2016 Haitian presidential election Merten traveled to Haiti and spoke about an upcoming verification commission report on fraud in the election, saying "We hope it is very, very quick and does not change the results of the election" in April 2016.[6][7] He was joined by other U.S. officials pushing for quickly accepted elections.

Honors and awards

In July 2012, President Michel Martelly of Haiti awarded Merten with the National Order of Honour and Merit to the rank of Grand Cross for his diplomatic excellence and all his works done for Haiti.[8][9]

Personal life

He is married to Susan Greenman Merten, with whom he has had two daughters, Caryl and Elisabeth.[2]

References

1. "Haiti Special Coordinator". www.state.gov. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
2. "Kenneth Merten, U.S. ambassador to Haiti, calls Hudson, Ohio, his home". Cleveland Plain Dealer. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
3. "Kenneth H. Merten, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, arrives in Port-au-Prince". US embassy in Port-au-Prince. 24 August 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
4. "Kenneth H. Merten". US Department of State. Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2015-06-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
6. Johnston, Jake. "Election Verification Results Expected this Weekend: What to Expect and What Comes Next?". cepr.net. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
7. "Haiti Preps for Election Verification Through Continued U.S. Pressure". www.ijdh.org. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
8. Press, ed. (15 August 2015). "Haiti - Politic : Return of Kenneth H. Merten in Haiti". Haiti Libre. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
9. Staff, ed. (22 July 2012). "Haiti's Michel Martelly Gives Award to Outgoing United States Ambassador". Caribbean Journal. Retrieved 14 March 2016.

External links

Media related to Kenneth H. Merten at Wikimedia Commons

• Ambassador biography, Embassy of the United States Port-au-Prince Haiti
• Appearances on C-SPAN