Joshua Huck takes over US embassy in Athens after Kimberly Guilfoyle's exit

Transition at the embassy

Joshua Huck has formally taken over leadership of the US embassy in Athens after Kimberly Guilfoyle left the post, according to an official US announcement reported by Greek outlets on 14 October 2026. He serves as the embassy's senior diplomat in the role of deputy chief of mission, and he will run the mission until a permanent ambassador is selected, confirmed and takes up the post. Greek reports expect that process to take several months.

Greek outlets differ on how Guilfoyle's departure came about. News 24/7 reports that her resignation followed an explicit request from the White House, while NewsIT describes her dismissal and resignation. Government diplomatic sources cited by News 24/7 described the matter as an internal US affair and said they were awaiting official information. Some headlines call Huck the new ambassador, but the body text of the same reports makes clear that he holds the post on an acting basis.

Career and postings

Huck joined the US Foreign Service in 2001 and has served in Shanghai, Tokyo, Sofia, Yangon, Taipei and Hong Kong. In Washington he worked in the State Department's China and Korea affairs offices, and he was chief of staff to Kurt Campbell when Campbell was assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific. Before coming to Athens he was deputy assistant secretary for Southern Europe and the Caucasus from 2023 to 2025, and he directed the Office of Southern European Affairs, which covers Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Turkey.

Huck holds a degree from Johns Hopkins University, a master's from the International University of Japan and a certificate from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna. Reports list his languages as Chinese, Japanese, Burmese and Bulgarian. Greek outlets say he has been in Greece since August 2025.

Energy agenda and what comes next

According to Greek reports, Huck has publicly argued that Greece's participation is decisive for the Vertical Corridor gas project and for moving American liquefied natural gas to the European market. Iefimerida reports that since his arrival in Athens he has focused on energy cooperation between Greece and the United States and on Europe's diversification away from Russian gas. Reports say Huck will keep responsibility for bilateral contacts with Athens during the transition.

A new ambassador must be nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate. The upcoming midterm elections could delay hearings and the final approval, possibly pushing the arrival of a new envoy to early 2027, according to the reports. Until then, the embassy's direction rests with Huck.