Kristie Kenney

The Honourable Kristie Kenney
United States Ambassador to Thailand
In office December 9, 2010 – November 6, 2014
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Eric G. John
United States Ambassador to the Philippines
In office March 22, 2006 – November 19, 2009
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama
Preceded by	Darryl N. Johnson
Succeeded by	Harry K. Thomas, Jr.
United States Ambassador to Ecuador
In office September 25, 2002 – July 6, 2005
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Gwen C. Clare
Succeeded by	Linda Jewell
Personal details
Born	Kristie Anne Kenney (1955-05-24) May 24, 1955 Washington, D.C, United States
Spouse(s)	William Brownfield
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Kristie Kenney (born May 24, 1955 in Washington, D.C.) is a Career Ambassador in the United States Foreign Service and is a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. She previously served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador, as United States ambassador to the Philippines, and most recently as United States Ambassador to Thailand. She is the first female U.S. ambassador to both countries. Kenney holds a masters degree in Latin American studies from Tulane University and a bachelor's degree in political science from Clemson University.

In July 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Kenney as the United States ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand.^[1] She was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 29, 2010.^[2]

Diplomatic career

Prior to being the U.S. ambassador to Thailand, Kenney served as the U.S. ambassador to Ecuador and the Philippines. Before working for the United States Foreign Service, she worked in United States Senate, a tour guide in the United States capitol, an intern in the House of Representatives, and as a staff member of the Senate Human Resources Committee.

At the State Department, she was appointed overseas as economic counselor at the United States Mission to International Organizations in Geneva, economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, and consular officer at the U.S. embassy in Jamaica. Back home, she was appointed as director of the State Department Operations Center, a detail to the White House as a member of the National Security Council staff, and political-military officer in the Office of NATO Affairs.

Kenney served as executive secretary of the State Department before becoming senior advisor to the assistant secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. She worked for both Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell and led the State Department's transition team from the Clinton to Bush administrations.

First woman U.S. ambassador to the Philippines

Kenney was nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush on November 3, 2005 to succeed Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 16, 2006, and was sworn into office by Secretary Condoleezza Rice on March 6, 2006. Kenney arrived in the Philippines on March 17 and submitted her credentials to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22.

Following the 2007 Manila Peninsula rebellion, Kenney voiced support for Arroyo, a key Bush ally in the Southeast Asian theatre of the U.S.-led war on terror.^[3] She congratulated Philippine authorities for their quick action that led to the arrest of suspects behind the 2007 Batasang Pambansa bombing, and she praised the Metro Manila Development Authority for keeping the capital clean and orderly.

Regarding the question of U.S. bases, she said: “We are not building any bases in the Philippines, we don’t have any plans to have bases, and we don’t need any bases."^[4] On December 4, 2007, Kristie Kenney turned over seven Navy utility boats and two Boston whalers to the Philippine Navy in ceremonies held at its headquarters along Roxas Boulevard, City of Manila.

Also, Kenney and World Bank country director for the Philippines Bert Hoffman signed the grant agreement of US$750,000 (±₱32mn) at the International Finance Corporation offices in Makati City, for the Bangsang Moro Mindanao Trust Fund agency. She earlier announced a US$3mn grant to the Philippines to help promote family planning in the workplace and American donation of US$38,000 for the preservation of Banaue Rice Terraces.^[5]

On November 19, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama designated Harry K. Thomas, Jr. to replace Kenney.^[6] Philippine media reported that Kenney, widely known to have become fond of her post, felt "heartbroken" at the thought of leaving it,^[7] quoting her Facebook status update, which reportedly read:

"Heart broken to think of leaving the Philippines but know it is time for me to plan to return to be with my family. Calling on my FB friends to help me not be sad but to enjoy and savor my remaining months in this lovely country.^[7]"

Personal life

She is married to Assistant Secretary of State William Brownfield. She speaks both Spanish and French. She was raised Catholic.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kristie Kenney.

• "Kenney, Kristie A." (official biography). United States Department of State. 2006-07-06. Archived from the original on 2007-08-15. Retrieved 2007-08-21.