Before joining the Organization of American States, Ambassador Arnold Chacon served as co-lead for the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), a U.S. presidential initiative announced at the 2022 Summit of the Americas. Over the course of his career at the State Department, he has represented the United States abroad in nine countries, including as Chief of Mission in Guatemala, and served as Director General of the Foreign Service and Deputy Executive Secretary of the Executive Secretariat. Ambassador Chacon is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Diplomacy.

Ambassador Chacon served as Special Chargé D’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, in 2021, where he led the implementation of the U.S.-Canada Roadmap for Renewed Partnership. As Director General of the Foreign Service, he reinvigorated professional development and recruitment programs to attract, develop, and retain personnel from underrepresented communities. Ambassador Chacon was granted Guatemala’s highest civilian honor for combating child nutrition, supporting justice and security policies, and promoting economic competitiveness.

Ambassador Chacon studied International Affairs at the University of Colorado. He has received numerous leadership honors, including two Presidential Rank Awards and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Civilian Award for his leadership at the National Defense University.