James "Alex" Burns is a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. As of 2024, he has served in the Philippines and Madagascar. After graduating from the University of Oregon, Alex taught English in South Korea then moved to Washington, D.C. to work at the Foreign Service Institute where he coordinated tradecraft training for embassy local staff. He wears a duck-embroidered belt every day to honor his alma mater.