BROADCASTS.com

b'On October 7, 2021, TNWAC President Patrick Ryan talked with Ambassador of Colombia to the United States Juan Carlos Pinz\\xf3n in Nashville for the Global Dialogue + Webinar/"Global Tennessee" series Podcast, about: U.S.-Colombian relations, regional issues, developments in Colombia, commercial relations with the U.S. and Tennessee, and the people to people connections between the countries. \\n\\nJoin the Tennessee World Affairs Council (TNWAC.org/join) and support with your gift (TNWAC.org/donate) to ensure these quality programs continue. Thanks!\\n\\nAmbassador Juan Carlos Pinz\\xf3n\\n\\nOn July 26, 2021, President Iv\\xe1n Duque swore in Juan Carlos Pinz\\xf3n as Ambassador of Colombia to the United States. \\n \\n\\u200bPinz\\xf3n previously served as Colombia\'s Ambassador to Washington from 2015 to 2017. During his tenure, he oversaw the approval of \\u201cPeace Colombia or Plan Colombia II\\u201d ($450 million per year) that increased the U.S. funding package for security and development. Additionally, he helped establish the \\u201cCEO U.S.-Colombia Business Council\\u201d at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Council\'s "Colombia Task Force" with the report on the future of the U.S.-Colombia relationship. The accession of the avocado Hass to the U.S. market was an important highlight. While in office, the Colombian Embassy was recognized as the best diplomatic delegation in Washington by the World Affairs Council in Washington, DC.\\n \\nPrior to that, Ambassador Pinz\\xf3n served as Minister of Defense of Colombia for nearly four years. Under his leadership, the Colombian Armed Forces dealt the most severe blows in history to terrorist organizations \\u2013 FARC and ELN \\u2013 and Criminal Bands, highly degrading their logistics, structure and leadership. Pinz\\xf3n also strengthened all capabilities of the Colombian armed forces and established Colombia as a regional cooperation leader. By the end of his period, he left the \\n \\nArmed Forces at its historical peak in manpower, capabilities, welfare, technology and budget.\\n\\u200b\\nThroughout his career, Pinz\\xf3n has been a leader in both the public and private sectors. Between 2018 and 2021, Pinz\\xf3n was appointed President of the Foundation for the Progress of the Capital Region \\u2013 ProBogot\\xe1, a private non-profit for the promotion of common good, public policy and long-term strategic projects for the capital region of Colombia. He is currently a member of several corporate advisory boards and NGOs. \\n \\nIn July 2017, Ambassador Pinz\\xf3n launched a bid for president with the support of the civic citizens\\u2019 movement \\u201cColombia Above All.\\u201d In March 2018, he became vice presidential candidate.\\n\\u200b\\nAdditional previous positions include Chief of Staff to the President of Colombia; Deputy Minister of Defense; Senior Advisor to the Executive Director at the Board of the World Bank; Vice President of the Colombian Banking Association; Assistant Vice President of Investment Banking at Citigroup; Private Secretary and Chief of Staff for the Finance and Public Credit Ministry; and Economist for Colombia at Citigroup.\\n \\nPinz\\xf3n received an honorable mention for his outstanding academic performance while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogot\\xe1. He also holds three Master degrees. A Master of Science in Economics from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. A Master in Public Policy from Princeton University (scholarship awarded). And a Master\\u2019s degree (honoris causa) in Defense and National Security from Colombia\\u2019s National War College. Pinz\\xf3n also completed advanced courses in international relations and strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University, in science and technology policy at Harvard University, and smart cities at Nanyang Technological University-Singapore.\\n \\nAmbassador Pinz\\xf3n was born in Bogot\\xe1 on December 22, 1971. He is married to Pilar Lozano and has two children, Natalia and Juan Pablo.'