Adrian Pratt, who has worked in newspapers for 20 years as reporter, editor and publisher, took over as the director of American Center, Kolkata, on Monday.
Pratt will also be the public affairs officer of the US consulate general in Kolkata, succeeding former director and public affairs officer Monica Shie. Shie was here for about two years.
Pratt comes to Kolkata after serving two one-year tours as public affairs officer in Erbil, Iraq. His prior tours include The Hague, New Delhi and Wellington. “I am honored to be back in India, and representing the United States of America here in East and Northeast India,” said Pratt.
“I look forward to engaging with the people and learning more about their heritage and culture and advancing the US-India partnership in the region,” he said.
Before joining the US state department, Pratt worked for two decades in newspapers as reporter, editor and publisher. His family spent about six years in Bangalore in the 1980s, where his father worked.
His wife Amy Pratt will be the new community liaison officer at the consulate.
They have two children, Morgan, 25, and Ewan, 21.