James McGee spent the majority of his 30-year Foreign Service career overseas working in support of US Government policy. Most of his assignments were in hardship postings. His professional skills include political-military affairs, crisis management, international negotiation and management.

After serving with distinction for 19 years as a State Department management officer, he was nominated and confirmed as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland 2002 – 2004, Madagascar and the Comoros Islands 2004 -2007, and Zimbabwe 2007 – 2009. He then returned to Washington as the senior advisor to the Director of the African Center for Strategic Studies. Most recently, Ambassador McGee opened the first political-military office to provide diplomatic advice and guidance to the Commander of US naval forces Europe, Africa and the 6th Fleet.

Ambassador McGee served in the US Air Force for five and a half years during the Viet Nam war and earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses while flying on 471 combat missions.

In addition to his military honors, Ambassador McGee was presented the Palmer Award for Diplomatic Excellence in 2011, the Diplomacy for Freedom Award in 2008 and numerous Superior Honor Awards during his State Department career.

He is a graduate of Indiana University and the Defense language Institute. He speaks French and Vietnamese.

Ambassador McGee has been active in community outreach and educational programs around the world serving as an International School board member in Lahore, Pakistan, and Kingston, Jamaica, and as Chairman of the Board in Mbabane, Swaziland. His wife, Shirley, is a civil service Human Resources Specialist with the Department of State. She continues to be a strong advocate for the rights of women and has worked with disadvantaged children around the world.