June 27, 2018
AIT Press Release #: PR-1818
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. William Brent Christensen as the new Director of its Taipei office, succeeding Mr. Kin W. Moy beginning summer 2018. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 created the American Institute in Taiwan to conduct the commercial, cultural and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan.
Mr. Christensen has been in the United States Foreign Service for more than 29 years and has extensive experience in senior positions relating to Taiwan and China. Mr. Christensen was Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan’s Taipei office. Prior to that, he was Director of the State Department’s Office of Taiwan Coordination, where he had a primary role in formulating U.S. policy toward Taiwan. He has served three assignments at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the most recent being Environment, Science, Technology and Health Counselor.
Mr. Christensen has also served as a Senior Level Career Development Advisor in the State Department’s Human Resources Bureau. Prior to that assignment, he served as the Foreign Policy Advisor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). Other overseas postings include Hong Kong and South Africa. Mr. Christensen also served as a Congressional Fellow on the staff of Senator Olympia Snowe. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Mr. Christensen is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and holds the personal rank of Minister-Counselor. Mr. Christensen earned an M.A. in East Asian Studies from the George Washington University, a B.A. in Chinese language and literature from Brigham Young University, and has also received a DMD degree from the Oregon Health and Sciences University. Mr. Christensen is married to Brenda Barrus Christensen and has three children. He is a native of Provo, Utah.
