On Friday May 3, Foreign Affairs Day at the U.S. Department of State [2], IREX President W. Robert Pearson [3] received the Director General’s Cup for Foreign Service [4]. The Director General for Human Resources at the U.S. Department of State Linda Thomas-Greenfield presented the award recognizing Pearson’s distinguished career in the U.S. Foreign Service and his on-going commitment to service to his community. Pearson credits his work at IREX and its hardworking and dedicated staff for earning this honor.
“It is a tremendous honor for me and really for IREX to be recognized for our service and our work to make a better world. I am grateful for my colleagues and experiences in the Foreign Service. I also want to express my appreciation for the donors and partners that have supported our work at IREX.” commented Pearson.
Each year one retired member of the Foreign Service is recognized with the Director General’s Cup. Awardees are selected based on long record of service, expert performance in assignments, known among colleagues for interest in and contribution to the preservation and promotion of professionalism of the service and engaged in activities that have a public service content.
As Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service from 2003 to 2006, Pearson introduced critical changes in America’s diplomacy, twice earning national awards for innovation and management improvement and preparing the United States for the challenges of the 21st Century. He served as Ambassador to Turkey from 2000 to 2003 during a critical period and was previously posted in Paris, Brussels, Beijing, Taipei and Auckland, New Zealand, in addition to other senior positions at the Department of State. From 2006 to 2008, he headed the international business division of The Spectrum Group in Alexandria, Virginia.