Ambassador Todd was the Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs from January 2017 and had served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the same bureau since August 2015. Immediately prior, he served as the United States Ambassador to Cambodia beginning in 2012. He was confirmed on March 29, 2012 by the U.S. Senate and sworn in on April 17, 2012. He officially became the United States Ambassador to Cambodia when King Norodom Sihamoni accepted his credentials on June 8, 2012. During his time in Cambodia he focused on the advancement of democracy, human rights, regional stability, counterterrorism and trade and investment and directed a very successful large and complex development and assistance program that improved the daily lives of the average Cambodian. He also authored a widely read weekly newspaper column called, "Ask the Ambassador." Before his appointment to Cambodia, he served as the Coordinating Director of Development and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. While in Afghanistan, he was responsible for all nonmilitary civilian assistance in Afghanistan, including implementation of the largest foreign assistance program and budget in U.S. history. In this capacity he also directed civilian field operations with an American staff of over 600, including 350 civilians embedded with the military in most of Afghanistan's 34 provinces and at five regional Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
Career highlights
2008 to 2010
From 2008 to 2010, Ambassador Todd was the U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. During his time in Brunei, he focused on regional stability, counterterrorism, democratization, and trade and investment.
From 2002 to 2006, Ambassador Todd served in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the Department of State. Over this period he served in several INL senior positions, including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Civilian Police and Rule of Law Programs and for the Office of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, as well as Executive Director and Controller. As PDAS, he was the Chief Operating Officer for global programs, including all post-conflict activities. His leadership placed him at the forefront of international programs for rule of law, police training, and counternarcotics efforts in some of the most volatile regions of the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Colombia. Ambassador Todd managed more than 4,000 employees and contractors in more than 75 theaters of operation.
Other positions held
Ambassador Todd has held several other very senior positions within the U.S. Government. Ambassador Todd has been a career member of the Senior Service for more than 20 years. He is highly decorated and has been recognized with numerous awards throughout his career for his strong program and management skills.
