Santo Domingo.- The United States Embassy in Santo Domingo announced on Thursday the arrival of diplomat Isiah Parnell, who will be assuming the position of chargé d’affaires. Parnell’s appointment comes approximately two months after the departure of Robert Thomas.
Shortly after his arrival, Parnell held a courtesy meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez. Expressing his pride in leading the mission, Parnell acknowledged the dedicated work of the embassy’s more than 900 employees in strengthening the historically strong ties between the two countries and advancing shared interests.
Isiah Parnell is a senior foreign service career member who joined the State Department in August 1984. Over his nearly 39-year-long career, he has served in eight overseas positions within the Office of African and Western Hemisphere Affairs.
Born in High Springs, Florida, Parnell grew up in a military family, residing on various military bases both in the United States and abroad. This upbringing provided him with exposure to different cultures and instilled a broader worldview. Parnell attended high school in Germany during his father’s military service, and he also lived in different locations such as Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Parnell holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in government affairs and economics from the College of William and Mary, as well as a master’s degree in urban planning and economics from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Throughout his career, Parnell has served in various leadership roles at US Embassies in Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Kenya, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, and Ghana.
Parnell’s appointment follows the interim charge d’affaires role held by Minister Counsel Alexander Titolo after the departure of Robert Thomas in March 2023.