About Us – Board
James Pardew
Board Member
James W. Pardew, who was U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria from 2002 to 2005, was approved to join the board of Areté Youth Foundation at the December 2010 board meeting.
In addition to his experience in Bulgaria, Pardew has a long history of diplomatic work in the Balkans, including as a negotiator of the 2001 Framework Agreement in Macedonia that averted civil war and the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war in Bosnia. Pardew was also a deputy special advisor to the president during the Kosovo conflict and peace implementation, from 1999-2001. His most recent assignment was Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO. Prior to his diplomatic work, Pardew served in the military. His overseas assignments took him to Germany, Turkey, Japan, Vietnam, and Somalia.
Pardew, who is originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in journalism from Arkansas State University and a master of arts degree in political science from Loyola University of Chicago.
Pardew is currently an independent consultant, writing and speaking on foreign policy. He is also on the boards of directors of non-governmental organizations working on Balkan issues. He and his wife, Kathy, live in Fairfax Station, Virginia.
