Ronald Wixman

Throughout Ron Wixman's education he specialized in the peoples, cultures, and nationality issues in the Balkans and the former USSR. As a professor at the University of Oregon he taught courses on these issues and became a founder and participant in the Russian and East European Studies program at the university. In addition to having done research in the area on folklore, history and politics in the Balkans itself he became a renowned specialist on the geopolitics of both the Balkans and the USSR. He served as a consultant on ethnic and nationality issues in these regions for the CIA, the U.S. State Department, the Pentagon, and a number of other governments, including the Academy of Sciences- Institute of Ethnography of the USSR in Moscow, the Institute of Ethnography of China in Kunming, the immigration courts in Canada and the U.S. dealing with refugee issues, and many others.

Hugh Neighbour

Hugh Neighbour brings many years of experience as a diplomat for the U.S. and an officer in the U.S. Navy, mostly working overseas.  Specialized in political and economic affairs, he was posted in Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.  Hugh was awarded the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award as well as a number of Department of State awards for distinguished service. 

Since retiring from the U.S. State Department in 2010, Hugh has worked as a consultant in both Washington and overseas, served as an official observer for several elections overseas, and lectured aboard high-end cruise ships. Several times a year, Hugh directs a course in advanced foreign area studies to select groups in the Washington region.  Hugh will offer a fresh, up-to-date perspective on the history, culture, and current affairs of the fascinating peoples and places you will visit.