Chair

Aaron Cope is the Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. He previously served as the State Department’s Deputy Director for the Office of Western European Affairs and Director for Western Europe on the National Security Council staff. In addition to other positions within the State Department, he has worked at the U.S. embassies in Russia, Malaysia, Botswana, and India. He received a master’s degree from the National War College and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University.  Aaron is originally from Seattle, Washington.