WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama announced the nomination of career-diplomat Richard Morningstar as for the US Ambassadorship in Azerbaijan, reported Bloomberg.
Morningstar is the Secretary of State’s Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy. Prior to his appointment in April 2009, he was a Senior Director for Stonebridge International LLC. During this time, he taught courses at Stanford Law School (2004-2009) and at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (2003-2009). From 1999 to 2001, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union. From 1998 to 1999, he was Special Advisor to the President and the Secretary of State for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy. From 1995 to 1998, he served as Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State on Assistance to the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union. From 1993 to 1995, he was Senior Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Prior to serving in the federal government, Ambassador Morningstar worked for Costar Corporation where he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (1990-1993) and President and Chief Executive Officer (1981-1990). From 1989 to 1993, he also served as a Commissioner of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. He began his career in 1970 as an attorney with Nixon and Peabody, formerly known as Peabody and Brown, in Boston. Ambassador Morningstar received his B.A. from Harvard and J.D. from Stanford Law School.
The ambassadorship to Azerbaijan has been vacant since the departure of Matthew Bryza, whose recess appointment term expired without the Senate approving his candidacy in January.
An oil man heading to Azerbaijan, and this from “The Barackness Monster” who wants alternative energy to replsce oil……what a hypocritical, weak man Obama is.
Mr. Morningstar is actually an overall energy guy. As an energy sector insider who followed his activities closely for the last 5 years, I can tell that he is a proponent of renewable energy also. His main strenght is not the techical aspects of any energy project, but rather the ability to bring together, guide and negotiate with people without offending, insulting and burning bridges. He is a very patient, calm and collected person which would make him a great ambassador in a region which he knows like the back of his hand. Regards.
“International LLC ? “and “Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy”
I would prefer an expert in human rights issues as future US Ambassador to Baku
God bless Us… As long as I’m aware US have more than enough oil and gas resources, so why to appoint an expert on Energy as US ambassador to a county with a well know dictatorship!
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