Lance Hegerle Takes Helm as U.S. Consul General in Tijuana, Bringing 27 Years of Diplomatic Experience to CaliBaja
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Lance Hegerle assumed the duties of consul general at the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana on Aug. 3, beginning a three-year assignment overseeing U.S. diplomatic activities in Baja California and Baja California Sur.
Hegerle is a career U.S. Department of State diplomat with 27 years of experience. Before arriving in Tijuana, he served as director for Narcotics Affairs and Law Enforcement at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, where he previously served as deputy director.
During his career, Hegerle has held several senior diplomatic and policy positions. His previous assignments include deputy director of the Office of Central American Affairs, political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, and political and economic counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay.
He also served as chief of the Political Section in the Office of Cuban Affairs, political adviser to U.S. Southern Command, director of Narcotics Affairs and Law Enforcement at the U.S. Embassy in Panama, political-military officer at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, political security officer at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, and U.S. representative to the Spanish-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Badghis, Afghanistan.
His first State Department assignment was as a consular officer in Lagos, Nigeria.
A native of Escondido, California, Hegerle has ties to the broader San Diego-Tijuana region. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in international relations from San Diego State University, as well as a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Air War College.
Hegerle is accompanied in his new assignment by his wife, Florencia, and their three daughters.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson welcomed Hegerle to the Tijuana consulate and highlighted the importance of the binational region.
“It was a pleasure to welcome CG Hegerle to the @ConsuladoUSATJ,” Johnson said in a post. “Few places better reflect the strength of the relationship between the United States and Mexico than CaliBaja, a dynamic region connected by its people, shared opportunities, and challenges.”
Johnson said the United States would continue working with Mexican authorities on border security, trade, and regional prosperity.
“Together with our Mexican partners, we maintain the border as the safest in history, while boosting legitimate trade and strengthening the security and prosperity of our two nations,” he said.
Hegerle’s assignment comes as the San Diego-Tijuana region continues to play a significant role in cross-border commerce, security, tourism, and economic activity between the United States and Mexico.
