Who is William W. Popp? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, tribe, achievements, and relationship with Milena, Alicia Pilar, and the early life and education of the former ambassador of the United States to Guatemala.
William W. Popp is an American diplomat and career member of the Senior Foreign Service in the rank of Minister Counselor.
He is the former ambassador of the United States to Guatemala.
Popp was chosen on July 27, 2023, to serve as the incoming US ambassador to Uganda replacing Natalie E. Brown.
Early Life and Education
William W. Popp earned an M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College in Washington, D.C. in 2012 and 2013.
He was chosen for Senior Leadership Training.
Popp earned his M.A. in Washington, D.C. from George Washington University, and his B.A. magna cum laude from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.
He has been married to Milena for over 24 and the couple together has a daughter named Alicia Pilar.
Career and Professional Work Experience
William W. Popp has had the privilege of serving as a Foreign Service officer for the United States in six assignments in Latin America and Africa.
At the American Consulate General in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Popp served as the Deputy Principal Officer and later the Acting Principal Officer.
He also held the position of Deputy Economic Counselor at the American Embassy in Colombia’s capital, Bogota.
He worked at the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, first as the Political Counselor and subsequently as the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission.
Additionally, he served as the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs’ Director of the Office of Regional Economic Policy and Summit Coordination.
From November 2018 to February 2020, he served as the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. in Brazil. Since August 2017, he has served as the embassy’s deputy chief of mission in Brasilia, Brazil.
President Trump declared his intention to choose Popp as the next American ambassador to Guatemala on May 28, 2020. His nomination was submitted to the US Senate on June 2, 2020.
On August 6, 2020, the U.S. Senate confirmed him by voice vote and he was inaugurated on August 13, 2020. On October 19, 2020, Popp handed President Alejandro Giammattei his credentials.
Popp was proposed by President Joe Biden on February 27, 2023, to serve as the following ambassador to Uganda.
On May 16, 2023, he was the subject of hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. On June 1, 2023, the committee recommended the nominee.
On July 27, 2023, the entire Senate approved it by voice vote. The US Mission in Uganda announced Popp’s appointment on September 1, 2023.
Achievements and Awards
William W. Popp has received various State Department honours as well as a Presidential Rank Award.
As Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala, President Giammattei placed a high priority on cooperation with the United States.
He showed dedication to boosting security, reducing unauthorized immigration, combating corruption, and promoting growth that is led by the private sector.
Additionally, he emphasized Guatemala’s dedication to democracy, defended freedom in Venezuela, and strengthened ties with Taiwan.
Working with the Guatemalan government, new courts were set up to handle femicide, extortion cases, and human trafficking prosecutions.
Intensive collaboration with the Guatemalan Navy Special Forces decreased maritime drug trafficking as well.
Spanish and Portuguese are the other languages Popp speaks.
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