On June 11, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate John R. Nay to be Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname. Official bio released by the WH below:
John R. Nay has served as U.S. Consul General in Toronto since June 2006. Prior to serving in Toronto he served from 2003-2006 as Office Director for African Regional and Security Affairs in the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister-Counselor, and has been a member of the Foreign Service since 1977.
Previously Mr. Nay had served from 2002-03 as a Senior Inspector in the State Department's Office of the Inspector General, and prior to that as Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India from 1999-2002, and as Regional Consular Officer for southern Africa based in Johannesburg, South Africa from 1996-1999. In earlier tours of duty, Mr. Nay served in Washington, D.C. as Deputy Director for Pacific Island Affairs from 1993-95, and from 1982-1985 as an analyst on Cambodia issues for two years and on Korean affairs for one year. Mr. Nay also had previous foreign tours of duty as consular chief at the American Institute in Taiwan, in Taipei, Taiwan (1990-1993) and at the U.S. Consulate General in Calgary, Canada (1985-1989), as well as earlier tours of duty in Singapore (1980-1982) and Taiwan (1978-1980).
Mr. Nay holds a BA and MA in History from Andrews University and a Masters in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.
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If confirmed, Nr. Nay would succeed career diplomat, Lisa Bobbie Schreiber Hughes, who was appointed to post in 2006. The Embassy in Paramaribo was established on Nov 25, 1975. So far, no political appointee has ever succeeded in getting an appointment as US ambassador to Suriname.
Related Item:
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 6-11-09
