Jeff Hovenier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to Kosovo | |
| In office January 10, 2022 –December 30, 2024 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Philip S. Kosnett |
| Succeeded by | Anu Prattipati (Chargéd'affaires ad interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jeffrey Hovenier |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BA) Georgetown University (MA) |
Jeffrey M. Hovenier is a retired [1] American diplomat who served as the United States ambassador to Kosovo from 2022 to 2024.
Hovenier was raised in Bellingham,Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from Brigham Young University and a Master of Arts in government and international relations from Georgetown University. [2]
A former member of the Senior Foreign Service,Hovenier served in Peru,Croatia,Greece,Panama,Germany,and Paraguay,in addition to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Hovenier also served as the director for Central and Southeastern European affairs for the United States National Security Council. [3] Hovenier also served in the U.S. Embassy in Ankara,Turkey as its charge d’affaires from August 2018 to July 2019, [2] [4] and Deputy Chief of Mission from August 2018 to July 2021,when Scott M. Oudkirk assumed his post as Deputy Chief of Mission. [2] [5]
On July 2,2021,President Joe Biden nominated Hovenier to serve as United States Ambassador to Kosovo. [6] [7] On October 5,2021,a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. [8] On October 19,2021,his nomination was reported favorably out of committee. [9] The United States Senate confirmed him on November 18,2021,by voice vote. He presented his credentials to President Vjosa Osmani in Pristina on January 10,2022. [10]
Ambassador Hovenier retired from the Department of State in December 2024. [1]
Hovenier currently serves as a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council. [11]