Jamaica’s New Ambassador Assumes Duties In Washington D.C.

Photo Credit: Jamaican Information Service — Photo Credit: http://jis.gov.jm/

Jamaica’s new Ambassador to the United States, Ralph Thomas, has assumed duties in Washington, D.C.

Thomas arrived in the U.S. capital on September 4^th and has already delivered accreditation letters to the US Department of State.

He will officially present his credentials to U.S. President Barack Obama on September 17^th.

Thomas was appointed on August 21^st as Jamaica’s 12^th Ambassador to the U.S.

He succeeded Professor Stephen Vasciannie, whose tour of duty ended in July.

Thomas is a graduate of Columbia University with an MBA in finance. He served for 22 years as vice president/regional manager of the Bank of New York.

He later returned to Jamaica and contested a seat in the 2007 general election for the People’s National Party, however, he failed to wrest the North-Central Clarendon seat from the veteran parliamentarian and Jamaica Labour Party stalwart Pearnel Charles.

He later worked as a financial consultant and university lecturer, before his appointment as Jamaica’s ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.

Thomas continued teaching after concluding duties as ambassador in China.

He has received wide support from the diaspora on his appointment to this new position.