Marcie Ries, the United States new ambassador to Bulgaria, has already assumed her responsibilities, replacing James Warlick, the embassy announced.

Ambassador Ries is a senior Foreign Service Officer with thirty-four years of experience in Europe, the Caribbean and the Middle East.  A specialist in national security and political-military matters, she has worked on UN and NATO issues, strategic arms control, as well as bilateral relations with Western Europe, the Balkans and Iraq.

Most recently, Ambassador Ries was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance.  In connection with that assignment, she served as the Deputy Head of Delegation for the negotiation of the New START strategic arms reduction treaty with the Russian Federation.

In 2008-2009, Ambassador Ries was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR).  In that capacity, she had responsibility for offices dealing with relations with the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO), the European Union (EU) and Western Europe, as well as strategic planning and personnel.  EUR includes 50 countries and 72 posts.

From 2007-2008, Ambassador Ries was Minister-Counselor for Political-Military Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq.  She has also served as United States Ambassador to Albania (2005-2007); Chief of Mission, US Office Pristina, Kosovo (2003-2004); and Director, Office of United Nations Political Affairs (2001-2003).

Ambassador Ries's experience abroad also includes service at the US Embassy in London, four years at the US Mission to the European Union in Brussels and tours in Turkey and the Dominican Republic.

Ambassador Ries is married to Ambassador (ret.) Charles Ries and has a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Meredith.