110th-2nd Session: More Nominees for Ambassadors

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
110^th TENTH CONGRESS
2^nd Session

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Time: 1:30 P.M.
Place: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Presiding: Senator Kerry

Nominees:

Ms. Tatiana C. Gfoeller-Volkoff
to be Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic

Ms. Gfoeller-Volkoff is a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service and served as Consul General of the United States in Jeddah. Prior to this, she served as the Director of the Office of Multilateral Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the Department of State. Earlier in her career she served as the Deputy Principal Officer in St. Petersburg, Russia. Ms. Gfoeller-Volkoff received her bachelor's degree from Georgetown University.

Mr. Richard G. Olson, Jr.
to be Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

Mr. Olson, of New Mexico, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor. He currently serves as Deputy United States Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Prior to this, he served as Director of the Office of Iraq Affairs in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State. Earlier in his career, he served as Governorate Coordinator for the Province of Najaf in Iraq. Mr. Olson received his bachelor's degree from Brown University. His wife, Deborah Jones, is currently serving as the US Ambassador to Kuwait.

Mr. David D. Pearce
to be Ambassador to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

Mr. Pearce, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister, most recently served as Senior Advisor to Ambassador Ryan Crocker in Baghdad. Prior to this, he served as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the United States Embassy in Rome. Earlier in his career, he served as Consul General and Chief of Mission in Jerusalem. Mr. Pearce received his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College and his master's degree from The Ohio State University.

Ms. Michele Jeanne Sison
to be Ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon

Ms. Sison, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Chargé d'Affaires in Beirut. Prior to this, she served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates. Earlier in her career, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs. Ms. Sison received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
110^th CONGRESS
2^nd SESSION

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Place: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Presiding: Senator Feingold

Nominees:

Mr. James Christopher Swan
to be Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti

Mr. Swan, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Prior to this, he served as Director of the Office for African Analysis in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the Department of State. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kinshasa. Mr. Swan received his bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and his master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Mr. Alan W. Eastham, Jr.
to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo

Mr. Eastham, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Malawi. Prior to this, he served as Director of the Office of Central African Affairs at the Bureau of African Affairs at the Department of State. Earlier in his career, he served as Special Negotiator for Conflict Diamonds in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. Mr. Eastham received his bachelor's degree from Hendrix College and his JD from Georgetown University.

Mr. John A. Simon
to be Representative of the United States of America to the African Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador

Mr. Simon currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Prior to this, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Relief, Stabilization, and Development for the National Security Council at the White House. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Development Issues at the National Security Council. Mr. Simon received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his master's degree from Harvard University.

Mr. W. Stuart Symington
to be Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda

Ambassador Symington, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Djibouti. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Director of the Office of West African Affairs. Earlier in his career, he served as Acting Deputy Political Counselor at the United States Embassy in Baghdad. Ambassador Symington received his bachelor's degree from Brown University and his JD from Columbia University.