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I Am the Chief of Protocol

Suzanne Zimbler

Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall welcomes heads of state and other important visitors to the U.S. She spoke with TFK's Suzanne Zimbler.

President Obama's schedule is packed with meetings. Some of them take place in other countries. Many of them happen in the United States. When a foreign leader comes here, it is important that his or her visit go smoothly. That's where I come in.

As chief of protocol, it is my job to make sure that all visiting officials are made to feel comfortable and respected. It is very important to follow a set of rules known as protocol. If the visitor is a king, queen, president or prime minister, I go to the airport to greet him or her, and my team actually rolls out a red carpet. We also handle every detail of the visitor's trip, from transportation and meals to greeting the guest at the White House.

Meeting fascinating people is the best part of my job. One of my first visits was with Egypt's President Mubarak. I could have listened to him for hours.

My interest in different cultures started when I was a kid. My mother is from Mexico, and my father is from Croatia. There were many languages spoken in our home, and I learned to embrace different cultures and traditions from the start.

My experience as chief of protocol has deepened my appreciation for different cultures. It is my hope that every visitor we host will leave with a positive view of our country and a desire to come back.

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