Michael Parmly is a retired American diplomat who, with his wife Marie-Catherine nee Schutte, settled in the Geneva area after a 35 year career in the US Government. In the course of his diplomatic career, Mr. Parmly served in Western Europe (France, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg), in Eastern Europe (Romania and Bosnia-Herzegovina), in North Africa (Morocco), and in Latin America (Cuba). He served as Chief of Mission (Ambassador-equivalent) in Havana 2005-2008. In Washington, Mr. Parmly rose to be Office Director in the Bureau of European Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary (also Principal Deputy) in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Inter alia, he served under Richard Holbrooke, Felix Rohatyn, Thomas Niles and James Dobbins. 

Prior to joining State, Mr. Parmly was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia.  Since retirement, he has worked as the Foreign Policy Adviser to the Foreign Minister of Kosovo, where he helped the Minister to construct Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry and Diplomatic Corps.  He also has lectured at Webster University and at the Geneva Center for Security Policy. Presently Mr. Parmly serves on the Executive Committees of the American International Club Geneva and the Democrats Abroad Switzerland.  He and Mrs. Parmly live in Commugny (Vaud). They are the proud parents of two children, Berengere Marie and Christopher Wells.