Peter Thompson, a graduate of South Kent School, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an Executive Master’s in Leadership from Georgetown University. He served honorably in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Department of State, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication throughout his career.
U.S. Navy Service (1967 – 1995):
- Peter Thompson served for 28 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Commander (O-5).
- He commanded a mine hunter and a fast patrol boat, deploying extensively with the Atlantic Fleet to regions including the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, Africa, South America, and Vietnam.
- Qualified as a Master Wargame Controller at the U.S. Naval War College, and served independently in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates during and after Operation Desert Storm.
U.S. Department of State (1997 – 2014):
- From 1997 to his retirement in 2014, Peter Thompson served as a Foreign Service Officer, achieving the rank of First Secretary (FS-1).
- He completed two tours totaling nearly three years in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving first with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Dohuk and later as Foreign Policy Advisor to the commander of U.S. forces in northern Iraq.
- Additionally, he served as Deputy Director for International Operations at the U.S. Terrorist Screening Center in northern Virginia, integrating diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement efforts to counter international terrorism.
- Earlier diplomatic assignments included postings in Washington, Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Kirkuk and Dohuk (Iraq), Paris (France), the United Nations (New York), and Accra (Ghana).
Other Professional Engagements:
- Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Peter Thompson worked for seven years as an independent consultant, advising government and private-sector entities on U.S. security issues.
- He also worked as a Financial Advisor for Prudential-Bache Securities from 1985 to 1992, managing over 300 investment portfolios.
Awards and Recognition:
- Peter Thompson received multiple decorations and awards for superior performance from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army.
Personal Life:
- Peter Thompson resides in northern Virginia with his wife Lisa Gingrich, where they are active in their neighborhood association and have been dedicated volunteers in dog rescue efforts for decades. They share their home with two elderly rescue Cockers, Sammy and Daisy, and Poppy the Black Lab.