Douglas Alan Hartwick was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic on July 12, 2001. He was nominated by President Bush on June 27, 2001 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 11, 2001. Prior to his nomination, Mr. Hartwick was Senior Advisor to the Director General of the Foreign Service. He served from 1997-2000 as Director of the Office of Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore Affairs in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, advising the Secretary of State and other Department principals. Political transition in Indonesia, including East Timor, and general economic recovery of the region in the wake of the Asian financial crisis were the focus of his office's activities. From 1994 -1997 under the direction of Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, Ambassador Hartwick was Counselor of Embassy for Economic and Scientific Affairs at the American Embassy in New Delhi, where he actively promoted American business, economic, environmental and scientific interests. Ambassador Hartwick has served in Malaysia as Economic Counselor (1990-1993), finance and development officer in New Delhi 1986-90, Deputy Chief of Mission in the Central African Republic in 1983-85, and in various assignments in Washington.

Mr. Hartwick holds degrees from the National War College (1994 M.A. National Security Strategy, Distinguished Graduate), Stanford University (1986 M.A, Applied Economics), Washington State University (1976 M. A. Economics) and The College of William and Mary (1972 B.A. Government). He has received the Department's Superior Honor Award in 1982, 1984, and 1988 and a Meritorious Honor Award in 1996. He received Senior Performance pay in 1997, 1998, and 1999 and was a Defense Department Capstone Fellow in 2001. Beginning his Foreign Service career in 1977, he entered the Senior Foreign Service in 1995 and was promoted to the rank of Minister-Counselor in October 2000. He enjoys running, trekking, golf, and diving.