Originally from Pennsylvania, Shields received his Bachelor of Science degree in international relations from Georgetown University and his Master of Science from the National War College (2001).

 

His overseas assignments have included postings in China (as political minister counselor 1991-1993), Japan (deputy chief of the political section) and the Philippines. In Washington, Shields has served as economic deputy in the State Department’s Office of China and Mongolia, special assistant to the under secretary for political affairs and as Cambodia desk officer.

 

Prior to his nomination to Brunei, Shields served as the deputy chief of mission and chargé d’affaires for the U.S. embassy in Singapore and as the director of the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia at the State Department.

 

Shields and his wife, Sangeeta, have one daughter, Sonali.