Michael C. Gonzales is an American diplomat serving as the United States ambassador to Zambia. He previously served as the deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of African Affairs.
Michael C. Gonzales | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to Zambia | |
| Assumed office September 16, 2022 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Daniel Lewis Foote |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Occidental College (BA) American University School of International Service (MA) |
Early life and education
editGonzales earned a Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a Master of Arts from the American University School of International Service in Washington, D.C.[1]
Career
editGonzales is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor. He has held many positions throughout his career; he was the director of analysis of Africa in the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. Overseas, he held leadership positions as the deputy chief of mission of the U.S. embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal and of the U.S. embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi; and as the political and economic counselor of the U.S. embassies in Harare, Zimbabwe and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition, Gonzales served as spokesperson and Information Officer at the U.S Embassy in Addis Ababa; Ethiopia desk officer in the State Department; and deputy public affairs officer of the U.S. embassy in Kampala, Uganda.[1] Since October 1, 2020, he has served as the deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of African Affairs.[2]
United States ambassador to Zambia
editOn April 22, 2022, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Gonzales to be the next United States ambassador to Zambia.[1][3] On April 25, 2022, his nomination was sent to the Senate.[4] Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 24, 2022. The nomination was favorably reported to the Senate floor on June 9, 2022. Gonzales was confirmed by the full Senate on August 4, 2022 by voice vote.[5] He was sworn in in August 2022,[6] and presented his credentials to President Hakainde Hichilema on September 16, 2022.[7]
Personal life
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "President Biden Announces Key Nominees" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. April 22, 2022.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Michael C. Gonzales". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on January 14, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
- ^ Nkomesha, Ulande (April 24, 2022). "Zambia to finally get new US Ambassador". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
- ^ "Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. April 25, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "PN1963 — Michael C. Gonzales — Department of State 117th Congress (2021–2022)". US Congress. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Ambassador Michael C. Gonzales". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ U.S. Embassy Zambia [@usembassyzambia] (September 16, 2022). "It's a big week for the 🇺🇸🤝🇿🇲 relationship! U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Mike Gonzales presented his credentials to @HHichilema today, who will soon be traveling to the @UN in New York City" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-09-16 – via Twitter.