Tom Shane
Independent Area Manager, Europe & Africa, Ban-Air Storage Systems
Highly experienced multilingual communicator, negotiator, and liaison officer. Focused relationship-building & representation at senior national, regional, or local levels in multiple international commercial, diplomatic, or military contexts. Solid analytical skills, liaison & foreign relations expert, 16 years experience in various politically, linguistically and culturally challenging relationship development positions around the globe. I've been active in international security affairs since 1989, with experience in Europe, the Middle-East, the Balkans, Eastern & Southern Africa. In international cooperation (whether political or commercial), it is crucial to be linguistically flexible and open to "the other", while at the same time maintaining one's own objectives and principles. International cooperation is about building long term trust without losing one's ability to make short term decisions.
50 contactsTS/SCI U.S. Security Clearance (February 2010)
Available: September 2011
Current Position: U.S. Air Forces Africa, Regional Engagement Strategy, East & Southern Africa
Professional Goal: Leadership position in International Business Development/Government Relations
Summary of Qualifications
Highly experienced multilingual communicator, negotiator, and liaison officer.
Focused relationship-building and representation at senior national, regional, and local levels in multiple international contexts.
Solid analytical skills, liaison and foreign relations expert.
18+ years in politically challenging relationship development positions.
Experience in Europe, Middle-East, Balkans, Eastern and Southern Africa.
Accomplishments
Strategic direction of multi-million dollar security assistance programs in seven Eastern and Southern African countries.
22-year U.S. Air Force and Joint military career (Intelligence Officer, Political Affairs Specialist) in Europe, Africa, Middle-East.
Project management, negotiations in politically and culturally sensitive, linguistically challenging environments.
Former U.S. Air Force Attaché to Ethiopia, Secretary of Military Attaché Association of Ethiopia.
Language Skills
(Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) Listening and Reading Scores)
German: Native, Written and Spoken. (DLPT 3,3)
French: Native, Written and Spoken. (DLPT 3,3)
Italian: Proficient Speaker (DLPT 3,3)
Serbo-Croat: Proficient Speaker (DLPT 3,3)
Russian: Proficient Speaker (DLPT 3,3)
Persian: Working Level Speaker (DLPT 3,2)
Basic Ethiopian Amharic
Full CV available upon request