Valerie Belon is the Consul General for the US in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.  She was born and raised in Fairbanks, and she spoke to us today about not only her career, but also about the intriguing life that has taken her so far from home.

 

The following information was generously provided by Valerie's biographical summary,  Valerie has enjoyed a 20 year career as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. State Department, specializing primarily in economic development, reguation, investment and environmental issues.  Most recently, she was the Senior Benelux Desk Officer at the State Department, taking the lead role for all Dutch and Luxembourg issues as well as overseeing the desk officer for Belgium.

She is fluent in both French and Spanish.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, she worked in the U.S. Senate as a legislative staff assistant.  She earned a degree in Economics from Princeton University, a Masters in Business Administration from UCLA, and a Master's Degree in International Policy Studies from Stanford University.

Valerie now resides in Willemstad, with her young daughter, Lucy.  She travels back to Alaska regularly, and maintains her family ties not only in Alaska, but California and France, as well.