Robert Keith is an International Program Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP). Mr. Keith focuses primarily on programs in Pakistan, Afghanistan and in the energy sector.

Prior to joining CLDP, Mr. Keith was a Persian Linguist and Researcher for a multi-billion dollar organization and served as the English-language representative on the Persian Team. Before working as a linguist, he was a Boren Fellow in the Persian Language Flagship Program at the University of Maryland where he earned a Master of Professional Studies in Persian Language that included a year studying abroad in Ankara, Turkey. Prior to his language studies, he worked for six years as an Economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics in its Producer Price Index Division where he received two Eminent Achievement Awards. He also worked as a Branch Manager for Chevy Chase Bank and interned on Capitol Hill. Mr. Keith has an MA in Applied Economics and a BA in Public Relations from the University of Alabama.