Rebecca E. Gonzales Explained

Rebecca Gonzales
Office:Director of the Office of Foreign Missions
President:Joe Biden
Term Start:May 31, 2022
Predecessor:Cliff Seagroves (acting)
Office1:United States Ambassador to Lesotho
President1:Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Term Start1:February 8, 2018
Term End1:February 4, 2022
Predecessor1:Matthew T. Harrington
Successor1:Maria Brewer
Birth Date:19 May 1963
Birth Place:Sumter, South Carolina, U.S.
Education:George Washington University (BA, MBA)
National Defense University (MS)

Rebecca Eliza Gonzales (born May 19, 1963) is an American diplomat who serves as the director of the Office of Foreign Missions since 2022. She served as the United States ambassador to Lesotho from 2018 to 2022.

Early life and education

Gonzales was born on May 19, 1963, in Sumter, South Carolina.[1] She earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University and a Master of Science from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at Fort Lesley J. McNair.[2]

Career

Gonzales is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service; she has been a diplomat since 1992. Gonzales has served diplomatic assignments in Panama City, Athens, Bogotá, New Delhi, Riyadh, Gaborone, and Pretoria.[1] She previously served as chief of staff of the Bureau of Administration at the United States Department of State.

Ambassador to Lesotho

On September 7, 2017, President Donald Trump announced Gonzales as the nominee to serve as the United States ambassador to Lesotho. On November 1, 2017, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and her nomination was reported out of committee on November 14, 2017. On November 16, 2017, her nomination was confirmed in the Senate by voice vote.[3]

Biden administration

On August 4, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Gonzales to serve as the director of the Office of Foreign Missions.[4] On September 13, 2021, her nomination was sent to the Senate.[5] On March 15, 2022, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and she was reported out of committee on March 23. On May 19, 2022, her nomination was confirmed in the Senate by voice vote.[6] She assumed office on May 31, 2022.[7]

Personal life

Gonzales speaks Spanish and Greek.

References

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Notes and References

  1. News: Straehley. Steve. United States Ambassador to Lesotho: Who Is Rebecca Eliza Gonzales?. October 31, 2017. AllGov. October 24, 2017.
  2. News: President Donald J. Trump Announces Key Additions to his Administration . October 31, 2017. . . September 7, 2017.
  3. Web site: November 16, 2017 . PN1011 - Nomination of Rebecca Eliza Gonzales for Department of State, 115th Congress (2017-2018) . May 21, 2022 . www.congress.gov.
  4. President Biden Announces Intent to Nominate Nine Foreign Policy and National Security Leaders . August 4, 2021 . The White House . Washington, D.C. .
  5. Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate . September 13, 2021 . The White House . Washington, D.C. .
  6. Web site: May 19, 2022 . PN1059 - Nomination of Rebecca Eliza Gonzales for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022) . May 21, 2022 . www.congress.gov.
  7. Web site: May 31, 2022 . Ambassador Rebecca E. Gonzales . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220603210458/https://www.state.gov/biographies/rebecca-e-gonzales/ . June 3, 2022 . June 16, 2022 . United States Department of State.