Deputy Chief of Mission

Thomas Yazdgerdi
U.S. Embassy, Pristina

Tom Yazdgerdi entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1991 and has served in Panama, Bratislava, Tirana and Athens, as well as in positions in the European Bureau (Czech Desk) and the Political-Military Affairs Bureau at the State Department, and as a Balkans program officer with the National Democratic Institute in Washington. 

He began his current assignment in August 2006 as head of the political-economic section at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina. Tom has a B.A. in history from Cornell University (1985) and an M.A. in Central European history, Security Studies and American Diplomatic history from the Fletcher School at Tufts University (1990). Before joining the Foreign Service, Tom worked as a legislative assistant for foreign affairs and defense issues to Congressman William O. Lipinski (D-IL), who represented the southwest Chicago area where Tom was born.

Tom speaks Spanish and Greek and has competency in Czech and Slovak. His interests include piano, tennis, reading and hiking.