The SFRC cleared the following-named Career Members of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period:
- William R. Brownfield (Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs)
- Kristie Anne Kenney (US Ambassador to Thailand)
- Thomas Alfred Shannon, Jr. (US Ambassador to Brazil)
Correct me if I’m wrong but Ambassadors Brownfield and Kenney may be the first tandem couple with personal ranks of Career Ambassador.
Ambassador Kristie Kenney with A/S William Brownfield
Via
This one from the Office of Historian:
The class of Career Ambassador was first established by an Act of Congress on Aug 5, 1955, as an amendment to the Foreign Service act of 1946 (P.L. 84-250; 69 Stat. 537). Under its provisions, the President with the advice and consent of the Senate was empowered to appoint individuals to the class who had (1) served at least 15 years in a position of responsibility in a government agency, including at least 3 years as a Career Minister; (2) rendered exceptionally distinguished service to the government; and (3) met other requirements prescribed by the Secretary of State. Under the 1980 Foreign Service Act (P.L. 96-465; 94 Stat. 2084), which repealed the 1946 Act as amended, the President is empowered with the advice and consent of the Senate to confer the personal rank of Career Ambassador upon a career member of the Senior Foreign Service in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period.
In over fifty years, the Office of the Historian only has 53 career diplomats listed with the personal rank of Career Ambassador. That list includes William Joseph Burns (State’s Deputy Secretary), Anne Woods Patterson (current US Ambassador to Egypt), James Franklin Jeffrey (former US Ambassador to Iraq), Ryan Clark Crocker (former Ambassador to Afghanistan and six other countries), Nancy Jo Powell (current US Ambassador to India), Marc Isaiah Grossman (current S/RAP) and Earl Anthony Wayne (current US Ambassador to Mexico).
The full list is here.
Related articles
- Pending State Department Nominations as of August 2012 (diplopundit.net)
- US Embassy Thailand: Ambassador Kenney and All Get High Marks; OIG Runs Out of Synonyms (diplopundit.net)
It was a pleasure serving in Recife, Brazil (2010-2012), and getting to know Amb. Thomas Shannon. Our deepest appreciation for his work and friendship. We’re very happy for him.
Greetings from La Paz, Bolivia.