Kristie Kenney

The Honourable Kristie Kenney
United States Ambassador to Thailand
Incumbent
Assumed office July 2010
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Eric G. John
Personal details
Born	May 24, 1955 (1955-05-24) Washington, D.C, United States
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	William Brownfield
Profession	Masters degree in Latin American Studies Bachelor's degree in Political Science

Kristie Anne Kenney (born May 24, 1955 in Washington, D.C.) is an American diplomat and the current United States Ambassador to Thailand. She previously served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines. 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. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 29, 2010.

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 as a United States Senate Page, 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 to be U.S. Ambassador to The Philippines

Kenny 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 theater of the U.S.-led war on terror. She congratulated Philippine authorities for their quick action that led to the arrest of suspects behind the 2007 Batasang Pambansa bombing, and she praised MMDA for keeping Manila 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." 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 on Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Also, Kenney and World Bank country director Bert Hoffman signed the grant agreement of $750,000 or about P32 million at the International Finance Corporation offices in Makati City, for the Bangsang Moro Mindanao Trust Fund agency. She earlier announced a 3-million-dollar grant to the Philippines to help promote family planning in the workplace and the US donation of $38, 000 for preservation of Banaue rice terraces.

On November 19, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama designated Harry K. Thomas, Jr. to replace Kenney. The Philippine media reported that Kenney, widely known to have become fond of her post, felt "heartbroken" at the thought of leaving it, 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."

Personal life

She is married to the former United States Ambassador to Colombia William Brownfield. She speaks both Spanish and French. She was raised Catholic. After being appointed as Philippine ambassador, she has also learned some Tagalog words. She has appeared in ABS-CBN shows, including Wowowee and Umagang Kay Ganda, cheerfully taking part in each show's hit dance Boom Tarat Tarat and Papaya, respectively.

External links

• "Kenney, Kristie A." (official biography). United States Department of State. 2006-07-06. Archived from the original on 2007-08-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20070815105023/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/68599.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-21. 

References

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Gwen C. Clare	United States Ambassador to Ecuador 2002 – 2005	Succeeded by Linda Jewell
Preceded by Darryl N. Johnson Chargé d'Affaires ad interim	United States Ambassador to the Philippines 2006 – 2009	Succeeded by Harry K. Thomas Jr.
Preceded by Eric G. John	United States Ambassador to Thailand 2010 –	Succeeded by Incumbent