Consul General and Consulate Departments

The Consul General

The German Consulate General in San Francisco is headed by Consul General Peter Rothen, Germany's highest ranking  representative in the Pacific Northwest, (i.e. Northern California, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon,  Washington, Wyoming and U.S. territories Baker, Howland, Jarvis, Johnston Islands, Midway and Palmyra Island.)

Political Department

Consul General Peter Rothen also heads the Political Department. He provides the German Government with a timely and comprehensive view  of political, economic, scientific and cultural developments in the eight States of its consular district. In return, it informs its American partners and the general public about important developments in Germany, establishes contacts and fosters ties between Germans and Americans active in these fields. The Consulate General cooperates with a number of German organizations headquartered  in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as with the German Honorary Consuls in their consular district.

Economic and Scientific Affairs

Deputy Consul General Eberhard Brockmann provides support of  German interests in economic, commercial, financial, agricultural, technological, scientific and environmental affairs in theUnited States and serves  as an information broker about Germany.  He cooperates with, for example, the German American Chambers of Commerce, the German American Business Associaton and the Representative of German Industry and Trade

Chamber of Commerce

German American Business Association

GTAI

Cultural and Press Affairs

Consul Michael Ahrens is responsible for fostering the cultural ties between Germany and the Pacific Northwest. One of the major goals is to support the learning and teaching of German in high schools, colleges and universities. He is informing the media and the general public about Germany to convey a realistic image of modern Germany which often contrasts with old stereotypes.  

The Cultural department works in close cooperation with the Goethe-Institute, the German Academic Exchange Service, the German language advisor, the German International School in Mountain View/Silicon Valley, the German-American School in Portland, the Rilke School in Anchorage  and Radio Goethe.

Goethe Institute

German Academic Exchange Service

Radio Goethe

Consular and legal affairs

Consul Robert Hallen, and his highly qualified team of Vice Consuls and specialized staff members provide a wide spectrum of indispensable Consular services to German and  US-citizens, as well as third-country nationals. The visa and passport section alone handles appr. 8000 applications per year. In providing services throughout its extensive area of jurisdiction the Consular Department is competently assisted by the German Honorary Consuls in Anchorage, Portland and Seattle.

Administrative affairs

Consul Stephan Boehm is responsible for managing the Consulate's  day-to-day operations. He is also responsible for  the consulate's personnel, business, communications, maintenance and security needs.