Explore the remarkable journey of David Mack. From Crater High School to esteemed diplomat, now honored in the Achievement Hall of Fame.

A 1958 Crater graduate, David Mack was class co-valedictorian. He served as the FFA Chapter President and participated in track and field and the Forensics Club. He won two state public speaking contests his senior year. The contests were the FFA State Public Speaking Contest and the State Extemporaneous Speaking Contest. An honor student, David received a four-year scholarship to Harvard University. Ultimately, he graduated and started a long career as a diplomat.

For over thirty years, David Mack served in various positions in the US Foreign Service. From 1990-1993, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. In that capacity, David directed the conduct of relations between the United States and twelve other governments, including Iran, Iraq, the states of the Arabian Peninsula, and the Levant. He provided political support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. From 1986-1989, David was the US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Ambassador David L. Mack is a recognized expert on U.S. foreign policy; his work has focused on the Middle East and North Africa. In 2020, David became a Nonresident Senior fellow at The Atlantic Council.

From 1998 until 2008, David served as Vice President and Acting President of the Middle East Institute. Prior to that, from 1995 until 1998, he held the position of Senior Counselor at C & O Resources, a Washington, DC consulting firm. During this period, he offered policy guidance to foreign governments and companies concerning their activities in the United States. He advised US corporate clients on trade and investment opportunities in the Middle East.

David held diplomatic and consular assignments in Iraq (1965-66 and 1977-79), Jordan (1966-67), Jerusalem (1967-68), Lebanon (1968-69), Libya (1969-72), Saudi Arabia (1993) and Tunisia (1979-82.) He also had positions in the State Department, dealing with Middle East and African Affairs. Additionally, he held a supervisory position in the Secretariat helping to manage global diplomatic operations.

In addition to The Middle East Institute, David Mack has other educational experience. He served as the civilian deputy to the Commandant at the National War College (1993-1995) and as Diplomat-in-Residence at Howard University (1989-1990).

David was a Fulbright Scholar at the American University in Cairo and speaks Arabic and French. He has received various awards, including the President’s meritorious and distinguished service awards for work during the 1991 Gulf War with Iraq and State Department meritorious, superior and distinguished honor awards.