H. Martin McDowell

H. Martin McDowell is an American diplomat and career member of the Senior Foreign Service. He is currently the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.

In 2025, he served as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim following the departure of Ambassador Kenneth Merten. McDowell has held several senior diplomatic roles, including deputy chief of mission in Moldova and director of the Office of South Central European Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

Early life and education McDowell was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama. He earned a master’s degree from Alabama State University in 1996. In 2010, he completed a master of strategic studies at the U.S. Army War College.

Career McDowell joined the U.S. Foreign Service around 1998 and has focused on European and Eurasian affairs throughout his career of more than 20 years.

In September 2024, McDowell became deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, serving as the embassy’s second-ranking diplomat and chief operating officer.

Personal life McDowell is married and has two daughters. He speaks several languages related to his diplomatic assignments.