U.S. Embassy Announces Departure of Chargé d’Affaires David Hodge

The U.S. Embassy has confirmed a change in leadership and the departure of Chargé d’Affaires David Hodge. Hodge had overseen operations for the past seven months after Ambassador Michelle Kwan left in January.

Rhonda Slusher took up the post of Deputy Chief of Mission on Monday, August 11, and briefly assumed the role of Chargé d’Affaires. Slusher is a career diplomat and Air Force veteran who most recently served in Guyana. Since joining the State Department in 2007, she has held posts in Panama, Azerbaijan, Peru, and Washington.

The embassy said Katharine Beamer will assume duties as Chargé d’Affaires on August 23. Beamer is a senior member of the Foreign Service and most recently directed the Office of Caribbean Affairs. She has held overseas posts in Guatemala, Poland, Slovakia, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic and has also served in senior roles in Washington.