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Economic Section
 


The Economic Section works with the Government of El Salvador, the Salvadoran private sector, and U.S. businesses and groups on policies and programs related to the economy.

Our goals include: promoting sustainable economic growth and development, trade and a healthy investment environment; supporting the development of well-functioning regulatory systems; protecting intellectual property; advocating for U.S. companies to ensure transparency and fair play; and deepening cooperation on issues including the environment and transportation safety. Our staff includes Americans and Salvadorans working to advance our mutual interest.

Mitchell L. Ferguson, Economic Counselor

Mitch Ferguson is the Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador.  Mr. Ferguson joined the Foreign Service in 1995, beginning his career as a consular officer in Bogota, where he met and married his wife, Marcela.  After his tour in Bogota, Mr. Ferguson was posted as a political officer in South Africa, an economic officer in Mexico City, and served two years on the South Africa desk in State.  Mr. Ferguson returned to Colombia in 2004, this time as the deputy economic counselor, where he worked extensively on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.  Mr. Ferguson was most recently the Chief of the Political-Economic Section in Luanda, Angola, where he worked to expand bilateral commercial and political ties with this important oil-producing country.

Mr. Ferguson grew up in Northern California, in the small agricultural town of Lincoln.  He attended the California State University in Chico in 1988-1992, and graduated with honors, earning a degree in Economics.

In 1992, Mr. Ferguson began working for the Policy Analysis Group of California’s Employment Development Department.  His primary focus was finding job training solutions for civilian workers displaced by the Base Closure and Realignment Act, which affected military bases across the state.  At the same time, Mr. Ferguson attended graduate school at the California State University in Sacramento.  In 1994, he earned a Masters of Business Administration.

Leah Cato, Deputy Economic Counselor

Ms. Cato joined the Foreign Service in 2002.  Her overseas assignments include Costa Rica, Kuwait, Iraq, and Yemen.  Ms. Cato’s domestic tours include appointments as the Chile Desk Officer and as a Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Front Office. 

Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ms. Cato was a Presidential Management Fellow in the Department of State’s Office of Cuban Affairs.  She received a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Schiller University in London and a Bachelor’s Degree in French and Spanish from Florida State University.  Ms. Cato speaks English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.

Pete Broadbent, Economic Officer

Mr. Broadbent graduated from Brigham Young University in 2000 with a degree in Economics.  He earned his Law Degree from the University of Chicago in 2004.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Broadbent worked as a transactional attorney in the oil and gas sector in Houston, Texas. 

Mr. Broadbent joined the Foreign Service in 2008 and has previously served in Manila, Philippines as a Consular Officer.  In El Salvador, his portfolio covers energy, environment, civil aviation, textiles and apparel, construction, telecommunications and tourism.  Mr. Broadbent is married and has four children.”

 

The Economic Section works with the U.S. Commercial Service San Salvador, which provides assistance to U.S. companies wishing to enter the Salvadoran market. They can be reached directly at: U.S. Commercial Service Website

U.S. Goverment Agencies


CAFTA-DR


U.S. Government Reports


America.gov Econ & Trade websites


Government of El Salvador


Other Salvadoran Organizations