Ambassador David Welch has a broad range of knowledge and experience in government and in business, both internationally and in the United States. Ambassador Welch recently retired after 10 years (2009-2019) with Bechtel, a global engineering and construction firm, where he was a Senior Vice President and Partner, based in London, Dubai and Washington, D.C. He supervised international and government affairs; Bechtel’s regional representatives in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America; its Washington D.C. office; global corporate security; and internal and external corporate communications. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Diplomacy. Ambassador Welch also serves on several corporate and non-profit boards.

Ambassador Welch served 32 years (1977-2008) with the U.S. Foreign Service. He was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to senior positions in successive Democrat and Republican administrations. In 2008, he attained the lifetime rank, confirmed by the Senate, of Career Ambassador. When he retired from government, David was Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (2005-2008), the senior-most U.S. diplomat for the region. He served as Ambassador to Egypt (2001–2005) and Assistant Secretary for International Organizations (1998–2001). He was acting Chief of Mission in Saudi Arabia (1992-1994). David was on the National Security Council staff at the White House (1989-1991), and also served in Pakistan, Syria, and Jordan.  He was the recipient of a number of awards during government service, including a Group Award for Valor.

David Welch is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.