2026
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Greetings Friends & Colleagues!
It’s the New Year! Time to reflect on the past and look to the future. First, thanks to everyone who has made 2025 a landmark year for many reasons, personal and professional. Could not have done any of it without your support!
Over these remarkable past twelve months, the success of working as a consultant has offered me the latitude to pursue interests including rowing, travel, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends. The freedom to make things up, with no boss, no commute, and no office is something I did not anticipate enjoying this much, and there is no going back! I have reunited with Jess, a friend from college and POOF, just like that, I have a partner, personally and professionally, to share all that I do. Together we run Seekonk West in the Bay Area and Seekonk East in Washington D.C. In between I make frequent trips to Houston in support of work at the Baker Institute and quarterly trips to Seoul. Reconnecting with Jess has been the best thing that has happened to me in many years and her support has been foundational and transformative.
Seekonk LLC started in June 2024 as a second career built on the experience of my first career in the U.S. Department of State. I entered A-100 in September 1999 and served my first tour as a Consular Officer in Seoul, South Korea. After thirteen tours in D.C. and around the world, I chose to leave State and work as an independent consultant because of the flexibility it provides, knowing it would also take a lot of work to find clients, create and build a new professional identity, and to set up the logistics and framework to support the work. Jess has an entirely different skill set that allows me to say ‘yes’ to everything. Her work in design and publishing informs a sense of order, structure, and precision—all of which complement my more “give it a whirl” approach. Seekonk started with a few ideas on a shared google doc and over the past 18 months, we have built a portfolio of work supporting a range of clients in multiple sectors.
The Foreign Service is a Twenty-Five Year Apprenticeship, at which point officers have exceptional capabilities and numerous professional opportunities that many of us, myself included, did not realize were marketable. There is no guide book to monetize our skills or facilitate a “say yes to everything” enterprise. For those interested in building a portfolio of independent work, either full time or for occasional projects, we created STARTUP that offers guidance and first steps to set up an LLC and open a business. Check it out and email us if you have questions. We hope that those of you leaving government or considering a transition will find this helpful.
Meanwhile, a few recent Seekonk updates: collaboration with great friend Graham Nelson at Albion East Ltd has expanded with a new grant to develop policy specific to AI Safety and Governance in addition to the previous grant advocating for best use of Official Development Assistance. Recent publications have included an OpEd in Kyongyang Shimun, Baker Energy Insights 2025, and a policy brief for George Washington Institute for Korea Studies. Lectures over the fall and winter at the University of Michigan, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, George Washington University, and University of Miami have been a great way to connect with students and understand the issues most important to the next generation, while explaining how one might build an international career either in or outside of government. Conferences continue to offer a great chance to learn and connect with experts and colleagues. Last October I participated in a policy discussion at the Ministry of Unification Conference on diplomatic approaches to the DPRK and in December I attended the Indo-Pacific Dialogue at CSDS in Brussels. The opportunity to share opinions and expertise with the press has been instrumental in articulating my views, mostly on Korea and U.S, foreign policy, to a broader audience. Recent examples have included interviews with Arirang TV, Maeil Business, New York Times, FOX, Hankyorah, South China Morning Post, and the Washington Examiner. And it is always a bonus to attend celebrations and events including the annual Korea Society dinner in New York City and Korea’s National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C.
On the family front, it is a pleasure to see Hugo thrive at Towson in swimming and as an applied chemistry major, and to help Bruno through the college application process, all while watching Esmé excel in her first year of high school. So proud of them and all they do and I continue to root for them at swim meets and concerts.
Next up… Seoul Jan 29-Feb 4—reach out if you will be there and have some time to meet up!
That’s all for now. More soon!
2025
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Greetings Friends & Colleagues!
Back from the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul and grateful for the opportunity to moderate three panels, (relieved I did not muck them up!!) including the future of APEC with John Mearsheimer and Robin Niblett, lessons from the war with Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba, and the new U.S.-ROK relationship with FKI Chairman Roy Ryu and U.S. Ambassador to Korea Joseph Yun. Great to see the talented Maeil Business Daily team and participate in an extremely well-run conference.
While in Seoul, I was able to build on the conversation about effective use of developmental aid that Graham Nelson and I have been engaging in over the past few months with an opinion piece published in Hankyung. There remains an opportunity for Korea to maximize the impact of the aid budget with support for organizations that provide a return on investment such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) that procure vaccines from Korea's pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
South Korea has been in the news of late beginning with the June 3rd election of President Lee Jae-myung which I wrote about for CSDS and the Maeil Business Newspaper. Since then trade negotiations and the Trump-Lee Summit took center stage, and most recently the Georgia ICE raid which put into question implications of the limits on E-4 visas as I mentioned in a piece last year for CSIS.
I look forward to returning to Seoul in late October for a seminar on North Korea hosted by the Ministry of Unification. Meanwhile, keeping busy and will speak at a KEI event on U.S.-ROK relations at the University of Michigan, contribute to a discussion on Energy and Fiscal Policy at George Washington University, attend the Baker Institute’s Annual Energy Summit in Houston, Texas, and join friends and colleagues at the Korea Society’s Annual Dinner in New York City.
Let me know if you are in Seoul, D.C., Ann Arbor, Houston, Berkeley or NYC. Hope the stars align and we can gather for a drink! -
Greetings, Friends!
Hope this spring was good for you, filled with good times and success. I know it was for me!
Started a new project and company, Albion East, dedicated to advocating for effective overseas development aid and working with U.S. foundations like Gates and Open Philanthropy to provide resources to governments and individuals to maximize the impact of charitable funds. To launch the new project, I traveled to Seoul in May and hosted a reception to share the news with some friends. Also, published an Op-Ed in the leading progressive daily laying out the geopolitical case for Korea to step up, do more and do it more effectively as it continues to play an ever more prominent global leadership role. Anyone interested in learning more about this project, drop me a line!
In Houston for CERA week, I enjoyed my first participation in the Energy Super Bowl, meeting lots of colleagues new and old and presenting on a panel about Asia. Always a highlight to see Ambassador Pyatt and learn from Ken Medlock and the great team at the Baker Institute. Sticking to energy, and thanks to Scott Snyder and his team, I had the opportunity to write a piece for KEI on prospects for greater civ-nuke cooperation as a linchpin for shared US-ROK economic development opportunity in the years ahead. Check out the civ-nuc piece here in KEI.
I spent a few days in Orlando, FL—not to see Mickey—but to cheer on my son Bruno as he competed in a swimming competition. Great place to be in March! Keeping on the travelogue, I spent a week in Paris, Brussels and London where I met with former colleagues and stopped in at a few think tanks to discuss Korea, and had a chance to spend some down time with friends and enjoy good food and culture. A great way to spend a week! A personal highlight was my 35th high school reunion. Great to connect with many old friends I had not seen in 35 years and relive some old memories.
On to the meat of the season—a twelve day trip to Seoul days ahead of the June 3 presidential election. Meat in every sense of the word—hit my usual faves—Joseon Ok for barbecue and ja yeon seok dol gu ii for pork along with some great raw fish on the beach in Kangneung and at an old standby Sushi Cho in Seoul. For some new tastes, hit Naju Kom tang and Dae Kwang in Gwangju—both delicious! In addition to eating, I did do some work :) A highlight was participating in a panel discussion with my good friend Dr. Miyeon Oh on US-ROK Cooperation in Revitalizing the U.S. Industrial Base as part of the ALC conference.
Looking ahead to the summer, I will spend some time in DC, catch some Nats games, and watch lots of swim meets before another trip to Seoul in July to check in with the new Korean government that kicks off its tenure June 4.
Anyone in DC for June/July, look me up!
Henry
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Greetings, Friends!
A busy start to 2025 has seen great progress toward renewed 1k status on United with trips to Houston, San Francisco, Seoul, Florida, Maine, and Indiana.Working with colleagues at the Baker Institute, I published an article Profit and Power: Opportunities in the U.S.-Korea Energy Sector and continue to look for opportunities at Baker to facilitate Korean and U.S. energy collaboration.
Traveled to Seoul in February and enjoyed some great food at a couple of my favorite haunts—josun ok for barbq and ja yeon seok dol gu ii for pork along with kamchon for the best tofu stew and pajeon in town! Oh, and also had a number of meetings to discuss issues of interest to my clients and to catch up on the latest political and diplomatic happenings in South Korea.
The Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations in Rockport, Maine invited me to speak about Korea-U.S. relations. It was a real treat to get to travel to coastal Maine and meet the great cadre of highly informed and interested Forum members. Thanks to George and Karin Look and Courtney Cease for inviting me and setting up the great opportunity.
The association with CSDS has been great and I look forward to my next trips to Brussels and London to meet up with Ramon Pacheco Pardo and Daniel Fiott. Catch my conversation about the Korean energy scene with Daniel here on the CSDS podcast.
Had a great time speaking to students at Indiana University and at George Washington. Thanks to Adam Liff for the invite to Bloomington and to Celeste Arrington for the opportunity to participate in a forum at GW Elliott School for International Affairs set up by Kim Yonho about U.S.-Korea relations.
Looking forward to CERA week in Houston March 10-12, meetings in Europe in April, and travel to Korea in May.
Henry
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Greetings Friends & Colleagues!
Happy New Year to everyone from Seoul, Brussels, DC, and all over the world! My new year’s resolution is to stay in touch with folks more regularly and let everyone know what I am up to. To that end, will aim to send an update, in the form of a newsletter or email, every month or so. If you don’t want to know what is going on with me, personally and professionally, maybe best to unsubscribe :)
2024 was a big one for me—right up there with joining the State Department (1999), and graduating from college (1995). All went as well as it did thanks to friends, family, colleagues and contacts who offered ongoing advice and encouragement. I left a fulfilling 25-year career at the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer to start a new career as an advisor, consultant, and think tanker. Lessons learned from State collected here.
Highlights:
A/S Pyatt offered the stellar opportunity to lead ENR's energy diplomacy team, which positioned me for a non-resident fellowship at the excellent Baker Institute team led by Dr. Kenneth Medlock to lead Northeast Asia energy diplomacy coordination and research at Rice University.
Ambassador Jim Jeffrey gave a fitting speech at my May 13 retirement ceremony, offering the greatest praise I could hope for saying that "Henry always knows what to do." Taking these words to heart and work every day to exercise good judgment and to try to live up to that standard.
Joe Yun, good friend and mentor, provides excellent advice and guidance every step of the way as I continue to learn the ropes of Korea-related consulting. Excited to see him headed out to Seoul as Ambassador—will be great for the U.S.-Korea relationship!
Toria Nuland taught me by example to value energy and creativity, stand up for one's principles, and have the hutzpah to be bold.
Michelle Flournoy, Sergio Aguirre, and Nitin Chadda gave me an incredible opportunity at WestExec Advisors and I enjoy contributing to a great team, focused on supporting Korea-related business.
AmCham Korea President James Kim offered me a chance to work with him and his team to build AmCham's trans-pacific capacity to support U.S. and Korean businesses efforts to boost trade and investment.
Ramon Pacheco Pardo offered the best response to a request for advice—I asked how I could get involved in the Korea-Europe policy conversation and he said "join me!" as Senior Associate at the Brussels-based think tank CSDS. A great group of scholars writing and thinking about the most important policy issues. I enjoyed working with Daniel Fiott to publish a piece on JUKE—the next hot diplomatic acronym (I promise!)
Victor Cha invited me to publish a couple articles on his respected CSIS platform—one about the bilateral relationship and one about Korea’s role in Ukraine that sparked lots of great policy discussions with friends, new and old.
Kim and Kim law firm, filled with old and new friends, supports Korean startups such as hydrogen fuel cell generator company Gaoncell. A fun opportunity for me to help a great team expand their outreach and support increased U.S.-Korea economic activity.
Enjoyed working with a great team in Seoul, DC, and Kyiv to facilitate links in support of Ukraine. Korea is uniquely positioned to help Ukraine during the conflict, but even more so to rebuild once Ukraine and Russia settle on an armistice. Hope I can contribute to that effort.
Involvement with emerging technology and philanthropic organizations to develop global outreach and implementation strategies has been a learning experience. A highlight was my fireside chat with #alexblania to introduce Worldcoin to South Korea.
Learned to engage with the press thanks to my great friend Leif-Eric Easley who pointed numerous reporters my way, to Richard Boucher for his press tips, and to everyone’s patience as I figure out how to set up a camera and use short sentences! Despite the bobbles, had lots of fun speaking with BBC, Bloomberg, SBS, VOA, France24 and others. A few highlights here.
Launched Seekonk LLC to manage my various projects and affiliations. Thanks to Jessica Braun for getting the business up and running. Seekonk is the river that flows through Providence where I spent many hours rowing in college.
Although I left the State Department, former colleagues continue to offer friendship and support. Thank you for continuing to take my calls!
Much of the success I had this past year I owe to my friends from my tours in Korea who, despite me being out of government, met me and helped me learn the ropes in the private sector. Incredibly talented, generous and smart friends—former ministers, lawmakers, current and former officials, diplomats and reporters, business leaders and professors—offered me their insights and advice that made me more effective. Thanks to all of you for continuing to be great friends and great leaders!
My friends from college days, especially the rowers, and the gang at the Potomac Boat Club kept me energized and laughing. I have enjoyed getting back on the water after many years, racing and reconnecting with the rowing community. Thanks to my father, mother and brother. I have enjoyed spending time with them in Maine, Massachusetts and Florida.
Hope to see many of you all in 2025!!
Henry
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