Friday, October 16, 2009

Officially In: Anne Slaughter Andrew to San Jose

Costa Rica 2007 Sunset IIImage by jeepeenyc via Flickr

On October 15 President Obama announced his intent to nominate Anne Slaughter Andrew to be the next Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica. The WH released the following official bio:

Anne Slaughter Andrew is currently the Principal of New Energy Nexus, LLC and advises companies and entrepreneurs on investments and strategies to capitalize on the New Energy Economy. Andrew has successfully advised companies in her corporate environmental/energy law practice, serving as Of Counsel at Bingham McHale and as Co-Chair of the Environment/Energy Team at Baker & Daniels, and also serving as a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Patton & Boggs. In addition, Andrew co-founded a medical bio-tech consulting company, Anson Group LLC and, as an owner and Director from 2004-2007, co-led the organization towards sustained growth and national recognition.

Andrew has been actively engaged with conservation and environmental organizations, at the state and national level, including The Sierra Club and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. Andrew has worked with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) since 1995, serving as an Indiana Trustee, and as a member of the TNC President's National Advisory Council. Andrew also served as Special Counsel and Director for TNC in Arlington, Virginia. In her professional and community work, Andrew is experienced in creating, building and managing public policy initiatives in the environmental and clean energy arena.

Andrew graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts and received her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, where she served as Editor in-Chief of the Indiana Law Review.

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Anne Slaughter Andrew’s husband is Indiana Democrat and superdelegate, Joe Andrew, who was formerly a National Chair of the Democratic National Committee, and also Chair of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. According to the Frugal Hoosiers, Mr. Andrew made a big to-do about switching his endorsement from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama in the days leading up to the Indiana primary. The Andrews have two school-age children, Meredith and Will.

AFSA records indicate that 11 of the 17 ambassadors appointed to Costa Rica since 1960 had been non-career, political appointees. If confirmed, Mrs. Andrew would replace Peter Cianchette, a Maine businessman and former Republican gubernatorial candidate who was appointed US ambassador to San Jose in 2008. Before you get all excited about this being another "cushy" post, here is what the IG said about Costa Rica not too long ago: Costa Rica is in many ways a pleasant place to live and work, but it is not free of problems. The gap between expectations and the reality of living and working in Costa Rica is a primary factor in relatively low mission morale. One American said, “Costa Rica is perceived as being this vacation paradise, when in fact, it is difficult to live here, not to mention expensive.” Well, there you go. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Related Item: President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 10/15/09

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