Rick Ortiz is a former career American diplomat and senior Department of Commerce official, a career in which he spent over 30 years advising firms large and small, government agencies, and organizations on identifying and capturing business and investment opportunities in diverse international markets.

Mr. Ortiz held numerous senior level positions overseas including as Minister Counselor, Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Basilia, Brazil (2015-2018) in charge of advancing bilateral commercial relations with Brazil during one of the most challenging economic periods in Brazil’s history.  He successfully launched strategic alliances in Defense Trade and Security, Infrastructure, and Information Technology. During his tour as Minister Counselor, Regional Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt (2018-2021) he was responsible for advancing U.S. trade and investment with Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Cairo, assisting U.S. firms to win major key contracts for the New Administrative Capital in Egypt in key sectors including IT, security, and energy.

He has unique expertise in promoting commercial ties in war torn nations including two consecutive tours in Baghdad, Iraq, first as Senior Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority supporting Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals, and in a second tour he was instrumental in standing up the Commercial Section at the new U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

Mr. Ortiz supported the successful passage and implementation of two Free Trade Agreements between the U.S. and Jordan (2001) and Morocco (2006). He was awarded the Department of Commerce’s Gold Medal, the highest award given to a government employee, for his dedication and achievement in supporting the rebuilding of Iraq in 2003 and 2004.

He has a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Claremont McKenna College in International Affairs Management. Mr. Ortiz speaks English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.