"US-Saudi Arabian Relations"
Featuring Ambassador Jim Smith,
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
In his first New Hampshire appearance since he stepped down in October and returned home, Salem resident Ambassador Smith will discuss America's long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia, recently strained by the conflict in Syria. Saudi Arabia is also of critical importance to New Hampshire, as the kingdom is ranked as one of the top 20 export markets for the Granite State, worth more than $34 million this year. Ambassador Smith has been lauded for helping strengthen U.S.-Saudi business relations during his tenure, resulting in nearly 400 U.S. companies exporting to the Kingdom for the first time and a doubling of non-defense U.S. exports to the Kingdom.
5 PM- Reception
(Hors d'oeuvres & cash bar in the Quill)
6 PM- Program in Salon Rooms
~ Welcome & Introduction: Paul LeBlanc, President of SNHU
~ Remarks: Ambassador Smith
~ Moderated Q&A
Tickets: $15/World Affairs Council Member or BIA Member;
$20/Non-Member;
Free/SNHU students & staff (when pre-registered)
SPACE LIMITED;
Advance Registration Required
Hospitality Center
Southern New Hampshire University
2500 N. River Road
Manchester NH 03106
Campus map; directions to SNHU
SPONSORED BY:
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
SNHU Saudi Students Club
SNHU International Student Services
ABOUT AMBASSADOR SMITH
James B. Smith was sworn in on September 16, 2009, as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Smith had served in a variety of executive positions with Raytheon Company involving corporate strategic planning, aircraft manufacturing, and international business development. Since stepping down in October, Ambassdor Smith was named a Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group. Based in Washington, D.C., the Cohen Group provides global business consulting services on strategic opportunities in virtually every market.
Ambassador Smith was a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy’s Class of 1974 and received the Richard I. Bong award as the Outstanding Cadet in Military History. He received his Masters in History from Indiana University in 1975, and is also a distinguished graduate from the Naval War College, the Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.
Ambassador Smith spent a 28 year career in the United States Air Force. Trained as a fighter pilot, he logged over 4000 hours of flight time in F-15s and T-38s. He served around the world in a variety of operational assignments and flew combat missions from Dhahran AB during Operation Desert Storm. He commanded the 94th Fighter Squadron, the 325th Operations Group and the 18th Fighter Wing (Kadena AB, Okinawa). In addition, he served in a variety of staff assignments involving coalition partners, and served as Air Force Chair and Professor of Military Strategy at the National War College. During his final assignment at U.S. Joint Forces Command, he led Millennium Challenge, the largest transformation experiment in history. He was promoted to Brigadier General in October, 1998, and retired from the Air Force on October 1, 2002.
A native of Brooks, Georgia, Ambassador Smith is a resident of Salem, New Hampshire and is married to Dr. Janet Breslin-Smith.
In November, President Obama nominated Joseph William Westphal to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Westphal has been undersecretary of the Army since 2009.
