He worked as the head of the political section in the United States Embassy in Delhi, India.

He worked at the State Department as the officer in charge of India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal section from 1962 to 1966.

From 1968 to 1969 he worked in the office of Space Environmental Science Affairs at the State Department.

In 1973 he became the deputy chief of mission in India and was stationed at the United States embassy in Delhi.

He was appointed the United States ambassador to Bangladesh on 8 November 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.