Ambassador Gnehm is currently Vice dean of George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, Director of the Middle East Policy Forum and Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula.
Ambassador Gnehm served in the United States Foreign Service for 36 years prior to his retirement in 2004. He most recently served as U.S. Ambassador in Jordan (2001-2004). Previously he was Ambassador to Kuwait (1991-1994), Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. (1994-1997), and Ambassador to Australia (2000-2001). He also served as the Director-General of the Foreign Service and Director of Personnel of the Department of State (1997-2000). As Deputy Secretary of Defense (1987-1989) Gnehm was responsible for all US military programs from Morocco to Bangladesh. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula. Gnehm has also had assignments in Vietnam, Nepal, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Tunisia and Lebanon.
Ambassador Gnehm is a recipient of numerous awards among them two Presidential Meritorious Service Awards and the Department of State’s Distinguished Service Award. He is also the recipient of two Secretary of Defense Medals for Meritorious Civilian Service.
In addition to his teaching, Ambassador Gnehm is a member of the Advisory Board of ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid), a member of the Executive Committee of the American-Kuwaiti Alliance, the Senior Living Foundation and a Governor/Trustee of DACOR (Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired). He is a member of The American Academy of Diplomacy, the Middle East Institute, the American Foreign Service Association, the American Philatelic Society and Fourth Presbyterian Church where he serves as an elder.