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Flags, Seals, Cultural Taboos Are Task of First Protocol Officer

Flags, Seals, Cultural Taboos Are Task of First Protocol Officer

Protocol Officer Luigi Crespo (right) directs President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan (center) to sign the Agency's guest book, while Administrator Natsios looks on (left). Protocol Officer Crespo coordinated the logistics for Karzai's visit to the Agency, including a formal luncheon co-hosted by USAID and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. USAID

Flags of every nation, seals of every possible size, portable staging, and namecards are some of the things overseen by Luigi Crespo, the Agency's first protocol officer.

Until Crespo's position within the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) was created in 2003, a foreign dignitary visiting USAID headquarters was informally received by the Agency's desk officer for the country.

"Now, it's more standardized. Prior to 2003, we were not properly outfitted to receive a distinguished guest or organize a major function in the building. We are now as prepared and proper as State Department or the United Nations," said Crespo.

At official functions, he manages a long list of duties, including the coordination of invitations and responses, flag and seal etiquette, seating arrangements, name tags, and catering. He helps pick menus, coordinates with the Office of Security, and arranges a photographer to cover special events.

Crespo is directly involved with the logistics of all meetings involving visiting Administration officials and foreign dignitaries at the cabinet level or higher. For other events, such as swearing-in ceremonies of mission directors, Crespo offers guidance to the officer arranging the event.

In creating a protocol officer position, USAID follows the lead of the State Department, which has over five protocol specialists just to handle ceremonials.

Since joining the Agency, Crespo has organized and supported more than 70 events. Among them are the recent 50th Anniversary of the Food for Peace program, the George C. Marshall Distinguished Lecture Series with Nobel Prize-winning Dr. Norman Borlaug, and the visits of 30 foreign dignitaries including seven heads of state or government.

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