Alumnus Profile: Richard Jones (MS ’76, PhD ’80), Ambassador to Israel

By Christine Bengtson (x '05)

Richard Jones (MS '76, PhD '80) has a new title to add to his long list of accomplishments. His latest appointment as ambassador to Israel is just one of many appointments that have taken him to top-level postings around the globe. Jones views his current role as the apex of his career and is deeply “honored to serve as ambassador to a country with such close ties with the United States.”

Since 1976, Jones has made his mark in the Foreign Service. Being appointed as ambassador to Lebanon (1996-1998), Kazakhstan (1998-2001) and Kuwait (2001-2004) are not roles just anyone can occupy. This is a career which demands a large amount of traveling from country to country, knowledge of several different governments and political leaders, and at many times, tough decision making. He has always had an interest in foreign affairs and is grateful for these opportunities, which he sees as being both challenging and rewarding.

Jones greets his new position as Ambassador with hope. He is taking over during a time of tremendous change in Israel. In August, Jewish settlers occupying parts of the Gaza strip and West Bank were told to leave their homes behind, in what is hopefully the first step towards peaceful ties between Palestinians and Israel.

Jones will be working closely with the controversial disengagement process to make sure the “management of the aftermath is successful.” His first concern will be removing security forces from the Gaza strip, and making sure the hand-over of land to the Palestinians is peaceful. During his term as ambassador (starting in mid-September) Jones will be stationed in Tel Aviv, along with his wife and children.

While Jones is leaving his title of senior advisor in Iraq to Ambassador Jim Jeffrey, his views of the war remain clear. When asked about the concerns he has with the war in Iraq, Jones could only list one thing: American support. He is worried that American citizens “may lose heart in the war.” While Jones acknowledged the tremendous loss of life and the economic cost of the war, he wants people to understand that there “still is value in what is being done.”

Before joining the Foreign Service, Jones was a student at UW-Madison where he received his Masters in business statistics and PhD in business and statistics. Throughout his education, Jones always thought of himself as a quantitative thinker. He says his ability for “decision making under uncertainty” is due to his degree in statistics, and he is well equipped to balance benefits versus risks in his role as ambassador. Although he says his education has not mimicked his career exactly, he would not have gotten where he is today without it.

Jones said UW-Madison has a great ability for intellectual stimulation. During his education here he said he “learned how to learn” and how to “train your mind.” Jones said his education gave him a tremendous amount of self-confidence by allowing him to contribute to the “human body of knowledge.”

Although Jones has spent most of his career traveling, he can still remember the time he spent in Madison. He praises the city for its excellent atmosphere on campus, and recalls the many times he enjoyed biking in the area. Jones spent four years in Madison, and is always looking for opportunities to visit.

The Road to Israel
Before becoming ambassador to Israel, Richard Jones built a career in international relations.
2001-2004	Ambassador to Kuwait
1998-2001	Ambassador to Kazakhstan
1996-1998	Ambassador to Lebanon
1993-1995	Director of the State Department's Office of Egyptian Affairs
1989-1992	Counselor for Political Affairs in the American Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
1987-1989	Director of Developed Country Trade in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
1984-1986	Petroleum Attache in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

 

Christine Bengtson is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a student assistant in the School of Business alumni relations office.