Ambassador James Story has been in Luanda since October 2024, in the position of chargé d'affaires after the departure of Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi, and so far there is no indication as to whether Abigail L. Dressel, who had been nominated by former President Joe Biden, will be confirmed as ambassador.
James Story, a career diplomat, "played a key leadership role in strengthening bilateral ties and promoting common priorities in the areas of governance, health, economy and security," according to a statement from the US embassy in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Story is succeeded as acting chargé d'affaires by the current deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Maputo, Jeremey Neitzke, who according to the same note has "vast experience in managing complex operations and promoting US foreign policy objectives in various regions".
Neitzke previously served as deputy chief of mission in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 2019 to 2022, and as a management counselor at the U.S. embassies in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Bridgetown, Barbados.
He worked in Washington in the Office of Conflict and Stabilization Operations and also previously served overseas in Maputo, Durban and Panama City.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Neitzke attended Truman State University, holds a Masters in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, and speaks Portuguese and Spanish, beginning his international career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya.
