Mitch Larsen began his tour as the U.S. Commercial Counselor in Chile in July 2007. He is primarily responsible for U.S. programs and services aimed at increasing trade between American firms and their Chilean counterparts. He leads an active staff within the Embassy of over a dozen commercial specialists, each with various areas of industry expertise, and is engaged in the staging of a variety of major trade events, both in Chile and the United States.

Mitch previously served as the Deputy Senior Commercial Officer in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. He was responsible for U.S. programs aimed at re-introducing American companies, goods, and services into Iraq after a 15-year absence; improving the overall commercial environment; and helping American companies safely and effectively establish a leading role in the construction of a modern and market-oriented Iraq. During his tenure in Iraq, Mitch and his colleagues successfully staged the first booth at a major trade fair (representing over twenty U.S. firms) as well as orchestrating the arrival of Iraq’s first-ever U.S. Commerce Department-led, private American business delegation in the post-Saddam era.

Mr. Larsen’s previous assignments include: Senior Commercial Officer for Guatemala and Honduras, based in the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City (2003-06); Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia (1998-2002); Deputy Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine (1996-98); Manager, U.S. Export Assistance Center of Northern Illinois (1994-95); and International Trade Specialist, U.S. Export Assistance Center of San Francisco (1989-94). He worked in the U.S. apparel sector prior to joining the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1989.

Mitch received an MBA in International Management from Golden Gate University of San Francisco and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University. He is joined in Chile by his wife, Charlotte, and three school-age children.