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Paul W. Jones, who grew up in Yorktown Heights, was recently named Ambassador to Poland, having previously served as Ambassador to Malaysia. Jones was appointed by President Barack Obama, confirmed by the Senate and sworn in Friday by Secretary of State John Kerry.
The ambassador has been all over the world since he left Yorktown. He served as Principal Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Jones has also had diplomatic posts in Philippines, Austria, Macedonia, Russia, Columbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He graduated from Cornell in 1982 and has Masters' from the University of Virginia and Naval War College. He speaks Russian, Spanish and some Polish.
"I’m honored to be nominated," Jones said in a statement at his confirmation hearing. "Today, Poland has become one of our closest, most capable NATO Allies, a relationship that at its core is founded on democratic values and shared commitments to policies that provide peace and prosperity for our peoples."
The United States and Poland enjoy strong economic ties, according to Jones. U.S. exports to Poland have grown 22 percent since 2009, and U.S. defense companies work with Poland's defense department, Jones said.
"The United States is a leading and growing source of investment in Poland across a wide range of sectors," Jones said. "I will seek to deepen our ties across the board, from education, exchanges and entrepreneurship, to trade, investment, and innovation, energy security, science and technology, law enforcement, and counterterrorism."
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