Appointments and Resignations
Ambassador to Djibouti: Who is Geeta Pasi?
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Geeta Pasi received her first-ever nomination to serve as ambassador—to the small but strategically-located East African nation of Djibouti—in April 2011.
Originally from New York State, Pasi re... read more
Ambassador to Rwanda: Who is Donald Koran?
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Donald W. Koran was nominated in April 2011 by President Barack Obama to serve as U.S. ambassador to Rwanda.
Koran received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and earned... read more
Sheila Bair Steps Down as Head of FDIC
With her term expiring this summer, Sheila Bair has decided five years is enough as head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Her departure will cost the Obama administration a progressive voice on banking and Wall Street regulat... read more
Ambassador from Liechtenstein: Who is Claudia Fritsche?
Liechtenstein is one of the smallest independent countries in the world. With a population of barely 36,000, the choice of possible diplomats is a bit thin, so it is not surprising that the nation’s ambassador to the United States, Claudia Frits... read more
Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina: Who is Patrick Moon?
After more than 30 years as a diplomat, Patrick S. Moon is finally getting his first crack as an ambassador. After holding a variety of posts covering issues from Africa to Europe to South Asia, he was sworn as U.S. ambassador to Bosnia and Herz... read more
Ambassador to Burkina Faso: Who is Thomas Dougherty?
A 20-year career diplomat and African affairs specialist, J. Thomas Dougherty received his first chance to serve as an ambassador in taking over the top post at the U.S. embassy in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. He was nominated by Pre... read more
Chair of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission: Who is Bill Reinsch?
A member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission since its inception in 2001, William A. Reinsch was first appointed by Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and most recently reappointed to the commission by Senate Demo... read more
Ambassador from Haiti: Who Is Louis Harold Joseph?
Louis Harold Joseph has served as Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States since September 14, 2010.
Joseph was born in Cap-Haïtien to parents who were both teachers. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the Faculty of Law ... read more
Ambassador to Sweden Resigns…to Take Charge of Obama Campaign Fundraising: Who is Matthew Barzun?
Having collected only about $750 million for his 2008 election, President Barack Obama has decided he needs someone different this time to raise money for his 2012 reelection campaign. Thus, Matthew Barzun, current ambassador to Sweden, has been c... read more
Ambassador from Australia: Who is Kim Beazley?
A longtime Labor Party politician, Kim Christian Beazley has served as Australia’s ambassador to the United States since September 2009.
Beazley was born on December 14, 1948, in Perth, Western Australia. His father, Kim Beazley Sr., served ... read more
Ambassador to Panama: Who is Phyllis Powers?
Phyllis M. Powers has come a long way from her days as a medical technologist in the 1970s. Powers was nominated by President Barack Obama in July 2010 to become ambassador to Panama. She was confirmed by the Senate on August 8.
A native of ... read more
U.S. Ambassador to India Resigns…Who is Tim Roemer?
Timothy Roemer, U.S. ambassador to India, has resigned his post and is coming home. Why Roemer is leaving after barely two years is a matter of much speculation.
Sworn in the U.S. ambassador to India on July 23, 2009, Tim Roemer is an exampl... read more
Ambassador from Indonesia: Who is Dino Patti Djalal?
A controversial figure in his own country, Dino Patti Djalal became ambassador of Indonesia to the United States in September 2010, despite calls from human rights groups for President Barack Obama to reject his credentials.
Born on Septembe... read more
Ambassador to Indonesia: Who is Scot Marciel?
Scot Marciel could not have asked for a better way to celebrate his 25th year with the State Department than by receiving his first ambassador assignment. A specialist in trade and economics, the career diplomat and member of the Senior Foreign ... read more
Ambassador to Guyana: Who is Brent Hardt?
On April 6, President Barack Obama nominated D. Brent Hardt to be the U.S. ambassador to the South American nation of Guyana.
Hardt earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Yale University, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the Fletche... read more
Ambassador from Argentina: Who is Alfredo Vicente Chiaradia?
A longtime diplomat and cabinet official, Alfredo Vicente Chiaradia became ambassador of Argentina to the United States in December 2010.
Born on February 15, 1945, in Bahía Blanca, Chiaradia received his master’s degree in political economy... read more