G&A Podcast – Episode 3

2.16.18 – General Jack Gardner and Ambassador Kate Canavan on U.S. military and diplomatic work at the U.S. European Command in Germany: why do we have troops in Europe? What does the US get out of training with other countries? Georgia/ Russia/ refugees/ evacuations…. and lessons from living next door to chef Julia Child in Boston!

General John D. Gardner: Jack Gardner served in command positions in Europe, Latin America, Korea, Bosnia, Iraq and numerous locations in the US. In his final assignment he served as the Deputy Commander of U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany and the US military forces stationed throughout Europe. He retired from the Army in May 2012. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a Masters degree from Georgetown University. He also completed a year-long Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellowship at Harvard University and attended the Singularity University Executive Program at NASA Research Park, Moffett Field, CA. A native of Columbus, Ohio and a life-long Ohio State football fan, he lives in Alexandria, Virginia. His current focus is in two areas – 1) how to measurably improve economic opportunity for all young Americans by linking public education, job skill development, and the evolving job market, and 2) the development of artificial intelligence tools to provide real-time access to practical knowledge.

Ambassador Kate Canavan: Katherine Hubay Canavan (formerly Peterson) was a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State for more than 35 years.  She retired after a distinguished career in November 2011, with the rank of Career Minister, the second highest in the Foreign Service.  Since retiring, she has supported a number of military exercises and courses as a subject matter expert, particularly those which emphasize comprehensive, non-combat approaches incorporating various U.S. Government agencies, international and non-governmental organizations.

In her last posting (2008-2011), she served as the Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor to ADM James G. Stavridis, the Commander of the United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.  Prior to that, Ms. Canavan served as United States Ambassador to Botswana (2005-2008), Director of the Foreign Service Institute (2001-2005), and Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho (1998-2001).

Following her entry into the Foreign Service in 1976, Ms. Canavan served in a number of positions in Washington as well as overseas, including as Deputy Chief of Mission in Windhoek, Namibia (1993-1996), Chief of American Citizen Services in Tijuana, Mexico (1987-1990), and Non-immigrant Visa Chief in Kingston, Jamaica (1979-1981).   Prior to entering the Foreign Service, she spent three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).   She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz and attended the National War College (Class of 1993).   She lives in South Carolina with her husband, Lieutenant General Mike Canavan, U.S. Army, retired.