Consul General and Consulate Departments

Consul General Rolf Schuette San Francisco

The German Consulate General in San Francisco is headed by Consul General Rolf Schuette, 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.)

The Consul General Rolf Schütte 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.

The Consul for Economic and Scientific Affairs, Mr. Eberhard Brockmann, provides support of German interests in economic, commercial, financial, agricultural, technological, scientific and environmental affairs in the United 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 Representative of German Industry and Trade BFAI

The Consul for Cultural and Press Affairs, Mr. Karsten Tietz ,is responsible for fostering the cultural ties between Germany and the consular district as well as for informing the media and the general public about Germany. In this regard, it is of great importance to convey a realistic image of modern Germany which often contrasts with old stereotypes. Germany is not only the country of Oktoberfest and Lederhosen, but also the world leader in renewable energies, classical music, recent Oscar winner for best foreign film, European Soccer Vice Champion, a country with a 2000 year history, 33 UNESCO world heritage sites. The Consul for Cultural Affairs is also responsible for organizing cultural performances, exhibitions, book presentations and educational events both inside and outside the Consulate. One of its major goals is to support the learning and teaching of German in high schools, colleges and universities.
In this context, the Consul cooperates with other German Institutions such as the Goethe Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service/DAAD, the German International School in Mountain View/Silicon Valley, the German-American School in Portland, the Rilke School in Anchorage, the official German language advisors and radiogoethe.

Goethe Institute German Academic Exchange Service Radio Goethe

The Consul for Consular and Legal matters, Mr. Robert Hallen, and his highly qualified team of Vice Consuls and specialized staff members povide a wide spectrum of indispensable Consular services to German and US-citizens, as well as third-country nationals. The visa and passport section alone handels 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, Seattle and Spokane.

The Consul for Administrative Affairs, Mr. 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.