Lynne M. Tracy
Lynne M. Tracy is an American diplomat and Ambassador of the United States of America to Armenia. Early life and education. Tracy was born in Barberton, Ohio, one of three daughters of Albert and Carol Pontius Tracy. She earned a B.A. in Soviet Studies from the University of Georgia in 1986, and a J.D. in 1994 from the University of Akron School of Law. Career. Embarking on a career in Foreign Service Tracy served in a variety of international assignments, focused especially in Central and South Asia, including Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Principal  Officer in Peshawar, Pakistan from 1995 to 1997, and Principal Officer in Astana, Kazakhstan. Tracy served as Political Officer in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2002 to 2003, Consular Officer in Bishkek from 1997 to 2000, Kyrgyzstan and as Political/Consular Officer in Peshawar, Pakistan. In domestic assignments she served as Desk Officer for Kazakhstan from 2003 to 2004 and for Georgia in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs from 2001 to 2002, and Staff Assistant for the Special Envoy for the Newly-Independent States at the Department of State from 2000 to 2001. Tracy served as Director for Central Asia  at the National Security Council from 2011 to 2012. From 2012 to 2014 she was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. From 2014 to 2017 Tracy served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy Moscow, Russia. In 2017 Tracy received a Distinguished Honor Award for her contribution as Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow. In 2009 Tracy received the Secretary's Award for Heroism for her performance as Principal Officer in Peshawar. On Aug. 26, 2008, she had been attacked by gunmen who sprayed her automobile with bullets, shooting out  the front tires. Tracy, her bodyguard and driver all escaped. The Secretary's Award for Heroism recognized her quick thinking, her return to the post on the day, and her dedication to complete her mission even in the face of repeated threats to her life. On September 28, 2018 President Donald J. Trump nominated Tracy as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, and she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 2 January 2019. Tracy's approval was preceded by intense questioning by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Ed Markey (D-MA) about U.S. policy with regard to Turkey's denial  of the Armenian genocide. She was sworn in as Ambassador to Armenia in February 2019. Ambassador Tracy presented her credentials on March 1. Personal. In addition to English, Tracy is fluent in Russian.