Francis (Frank) Gómez

Frank Gómez, an expert in strategic communications and media relations, has a rare combination of executive leadership in diplomacy, the private sector and nonprofits.  With six service awards, he capped his Foreign Service career as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and the rank of Minister Counselor. At the Department of State he directed the Office of Opinion Research, the Office of the Historian, Publications and Programs, and created and oversaw the Office of Liaison with Cities.  He also conceived of and hosted the first ever foreign policy conferences for Hispanics and African Americans.  He served in Colombia, Costa Rica, Mali, Haiti and twice in Washington. 

As a trustee of NPR flagship television and radio station WETA in Washington, he encouraged coverage of the burgeoning Hispanic community and African Americans.  Also, he led the creation of Hispanics XXI, an association of Hispanic professionals committed to increasing understanding of Latinos in the greater Washington area.  He also helped create and became chairman of the Hispanic Council on International Relations.