Edward “Ted” Burkhalter
Mr. Burkhalter served 28 years as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, specializing in security policy. He retired in 2026. His domestic assignments included Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commanding General of U.S. Army Central and Director of Congressional and Public Affairs in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN). Overseas highlights included service as Political and Economic Counselor in Tashkent and as Special Operations Task Force Liaison in Afghanistan. He has served on promotion boards, including reconstituted boards dealing with successful grievance cases. As a senior manager, he gained firsthand experience with counseling, hiring, and other relevant aspects of the personnel system.
Burkhalter was commissioned as a naval officer, via Auburn University’s NROTC program, and served in the Gulf War. He later volunteered in Somalia as a logistics and security coordinator for the International Rescue Committee. He holds a law degree from Emory University, is married, and has three grown children.
Current pursuits include chairing the Ben Franklin Fellowship’s recruitment working group; serving as a board member of the Benedictine Foundation, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities; and volunteering with his local Rotary and church.