THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

— Denise Bauer — Ambassador to Belgium, Department of State

— John Berry — Ambassador to Australia, Department of State

— Reuben E. Brigety, II — Representative of the United States of America to the African Union, with rank of Ambassador, Department of State

— James "Wally" Brewster, Jr. — Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Department of State

— Dan Clune — Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Department of State

— Linda Thomas-Greenfield — Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Department of State

— David Hale — Ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon, Department of State

— Michael A. Hammer — Ambassador to the Republic of Chile, Department of State

— Terence McCulley — Ambassador to the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, Department of State

— Terrell McSweeny — Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission

— Brian A. Nichols — Ambassador to the Republic of Peru, Department of State

— David D. Pearce — Ambassador to Greece, Department of State

— Lori Gilbert — Member, Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

— Ann Ravel — Commissioner, Federal Election Commission

— Jon T. Rymer — Inspector General, Department of Defense

President Obama said, "These men and women have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come."

HRC Statements on the Nominations of John Berry and Wally Brewster

Today the White House announced the nominations of John Berry to be Ambassador to Australia, and James "Wally" Brewster, Jr. to be Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin issued the following statements:

"John Berry has been a devoted public servant for thirty years, and will bring tremendous experience to our embassy in Canberra. His lifetime of professional experiences make him an outstanding choice to be the nation's next Ambassador to Australia. I urge the Senate to confirm his nomination."

"Wally Brewster is an excellent choice to be our nation's ambassador to the Dominican Republic. His global business and management expertise is matched by his enthusiasm and commitment to human rights and democracy around the world. Wally's political intelligence and work in public affairs and communications make would make him a valuable contribution to our nation's diplomatic efforts."

From April 2009 to April 2013, John Berry served as director of the United States Office of Personnel Management and was the highest ranking openly-LGBT official to serve in the executive branch. Brewster currently serves as Senior Executive for SB&K Global, a global consumer dynamics strategy consulting firm, where he works with clients on global expansion and growth. He also sits on HRC's Board of Directors, as well as the Board's Public Policy Committee.

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Denise Bauer, Nominee for Ambassador to Belgium, Department of State

Denise Bauer is Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Belvedere Community Foundation in Belvedere, California. Ms. Bauer was Finance Chair for Women for Obama from 2011 to 2012, and served on the Obama for America National Finance Committee from 2011 to 2012 and from 2007 to 2008. From 2008 to 2012, she served on the Democratic National Committee, serving as Chair and Co-chair of the Women's Leadership Forum and as Co-chair of the National Issues Conference. Prior to this, Ms. Bauer worked in television news and public affairs. From 1993 to 1994, she was a Public Affairs Officer for the American Red Cross Bay Area in San Francisco. From 1990 to 1992, she was a freelance film and video producer in Los Angeles, and from 1988 to 1990, she was the News Producer for the North American Bureau of Nine Network Australia in Los Angeles. She began her career in television in 1985 as a Field Producer and Researcher for KCBS-TV News in Los Angeles. Ms. Bauer received a B.A. from Occidental College.

John Berry, Nominee for Ambassador to Australia, Department of State

John Berry, who is openly gay, served as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management from April 2009 to April 2013. Previously, he was the Director of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park from 2005 to 2009, and the Executive Director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation from 2000 to 2005. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Berry served as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget at the Department of the Interior. From 1995 to 1997, he was Director of Government Relations and Senior Policy Advisor at the Smithsonian Institution. He joined the federal government in 1994 as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Law Enforcement at the Department of Treasury. Before joining the Department of Treasury, Mr. Berry was the Legislative Director for U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer. Mr. Berry received a B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park and an M.P.A. from Syracuse University.

Dr. Reuben E. Brigety, II, Nominee for Representative of the United States of America to the African Union, with rank of Ambassador, Department of State

Dr. Reuben E. Brigety, II, is a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs at the Department of State. Prior to his current role, he was a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. From 2008 to 2009, he was Director of the Sustainable Security Program at the Center for American Progress. During this time, he also served as a senior advisor for Development and Security to the U.S. Central Command Assessment Team. From 2007 to 2008, he was Special Assistant to the Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Dr. Brigety was an Assistant Professor of Government and Politics at George Mason University from 2004 to 2009, and an Assistant Professor of International Relations at American University from 2003 to 2004. From 2001 to 2003, he was a researcher for Human Rights Watch. Dr. Brigety served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1995 to 2000. He received a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.

James "Wally" Brewster, Jr., Nominee for Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Department of State

James "Wally" Brewster, Jr., a gay man, is the Senior Managing Partner for SB&K Global, a brand strategy and consumer dynamics consulting firm based in Chicago, Illinois. Before starting SB&K Global in 2010, he was an Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications with General Growth Properties (GGP), a real estate investment trust headquartered in Chicago. Prior to joining GGP in 1996, Mr. Brewster worked in management at several real estate companies in Texas, including The Rouse Company and the DeBartolo Corporation. Earlier in his career, he held marketing and management positions with Carla Francis, Inc. and the Jim Collins Company in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Brewster is a National LGBT Co-Chair for the Democratic National Committee and currently serves on the Board of the Human Rights Campaign Fund.

Dan Clune, Nominee for Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Department of State

Dan Clune, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is an Assessor on the Board of Examiners in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State. From 2010 to 2012, he was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. From 2007 to 2010, he was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia. From 2005 to 2007, he was the Director of the Department of State Office of Monetary Affairs, and from 2002 to 2005, he was Director of the Department of State Office of Economic Policy and Public Diplomacy. Mr. Clune served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas from 2000 to 2002. Previously, he was the Trade Advisor at the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation Development from 1998 to 2000. In Washington, his earlier assignments include Director for Middle East in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative from 1997 to 1998, and Economic Officer in the European Affairs Bureau from 1990 to 1992. He has also served overseas at the U.S. Embassies in Lima, Peru and Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Clune received a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Department of State

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, with the rank of Minister-Counselor, is Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources. She is also Chairman of the Board of Foreign Service. Previously, from 2008 to 2012, she was the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia. From 2006 to 2008, she was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau for African Affairs, and from 2004 to 2006, she was a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. Other assignments have included overseas postings in Nigeria, The Gambia, Kenya, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Switzerland. From 1991 to 1993, she served as a Staff Assistant in the Office of the Director General of the Foreign Service. Prior to joining the Department of State in 1982, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield taught Political Science at Bucknell University. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield received a B.A. from Louisiana State University and an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin.

Ambassador David Hale, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon, Department of State

Ambassador David Hale, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career-Minister, is Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. He previously served as Deputy Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. From 2008 to 2009, he was a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Prior to that, Ambassador Hale served as U.S. Ambassador to Jordan from 2005 to 2008. Previously, he served at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan as Charge d'Affaires from 2004 to 2005 and as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2003 to 2004. He served in Lebanon as Deputy Chief of Mission from 1998 to 2001, and as a Political Officer from 1992 to 1994. He also served overseas in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. In Washington, he served as Director of the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs from 2001 to 2003, and Executive Assistant to the Secretary of State from 1999 to 1998. Ambassador Hale joined the Foreign Service in 1984. He received a B.S.F.S. from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

Michael A. Hammer, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Chile, Department of State

Michael A. Hammer, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of State. Previously, he was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of State. From 2009 to 2011, he was Special Assistant to the President, Senior Director for Press and Communications, and National Security Council Spokesman at the White House. Previous assignments at the National Security Council include Director of Andean Affairs from 2000 to 2001 and Deputy Spokesman from 1999 to 2000. Since joining the Foreign Service in 1988, Mr. Hammer has served abroad in Bolivia, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. He has also served in the Department of State's Operations Center and as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Mr. Hammer received a B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, an M.A.L.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and an M.S. from the National War College at the National Defense University.

Ambassador Terence McCulley, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, Department of State

Ambassador Terence McCulley, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Previously, from 2008 to 2010, he was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. From 2005 to 2008, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mali. He served as Deputy Coordinator for Iraq Assistance at the Department of State from 2004 to 2005. He previously served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Tunisia from 2001 to 2004, Senegal from 1998 to 2001, and Togo from 1995 to 1998. He has also served overseas in Niger, South Africa, Chad, and India. In Washington, he was Desk Officer for Zaire in the Office of Central African Affairs from 1993 to 1995. He received a B.A. from the University of Oregon.

Terrell McSweeny, Nominee for Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission

Terrell McSweeny is Senior Counsel (Competition Policy) in the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice, a position she has held since 2012. Prior to this role, Ms. McSweeny served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President at the White House from 2009 to 2012. In 2008, she served as the Issues Director for the Vice President on the Obama for America campaign. Previously, from 2005 to 2008, Ms. McSweeny worked in the Senate for Vice President Biden, serving as his Deputy Chief of Staff and as Counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was an Associate in 2005 and Law Clerk from 2001 to 2003 with O'Melveny & Myers. From 2003 to 2004, she was the Deputy Director of Policy for Clark for President. In 2000, she served as Assistant to the National Spokesman on the Gore/Lieberman 2000 Campaign. She worked as a News Director with the Allegheny Mountain Radio Network from 1998 to 2000, and began her career as a Director of Development and Instructor with the High Rocks Education Corporation, where she worked from 1997 to 2000. Ms. McSweeny received an A.B. from Harvard University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law School.

Brian A. Nichols, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Peru, Department of State

Brian A. Nichols, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the Department of State. He previously served in this bureau as a Deputy Assistant Secretary from 2010 to 2011. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Nichols was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. From 2004 to 2007, he was Director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs in the Department of State Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. From 2001 to 2004, he was a Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Nichols joined the Foreign Service in 1989 and his first assignment was Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru. He has also served overseas in Mexico and El Salvador. He received a B.S. from Tufts University.

Ambassador David D. Pearce, Nominee for Ambassador to Greece, Department of State

Ambassador David D. Pearce, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career-Minister, is Senior Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Department of State. Prior to his current role, he was Assistant Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. From 2008 to 2011, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Algeria. From 2005 to 2008, he was the Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, during which time he served on two excursion tours to Iraq in 2007 and 2008 to serve as a Senior Advisor to Ambassador Ryan Crocker. From 2003 to 2005, Ambassador Pearce was Chief of Mission and Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. Additional overseas posts include: Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria and Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining the Foreign Service in 1982, Ambassador Pearce worked for nearly a decade as a reporter and foreign correspondent. He was a writer and editor for The National Geographic Society, The Washington Post, United Press International, The Rome Daily American, and the Associated Press in Ohio. He received an A.B. from Bowdoin College and an M.A. from The Ohio State University.

Lori Gilbert, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Lori Gilbert is the News Director for the Elko Broadcasting Company (KELK AM/KLKO FM). She is also the News Director of KENV Television in Elko, Nevada. Ms. Gilbert served on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from 2008 to 2012, where she was Chair of the Community Engagement and Diversity Committee in 2012 and Chair of the Public Awareness initiative from 2010 to 2011. From 1998 to 2010, Ms. Gilbert was an adjunct instructor of Journalism at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Associated Press Television and Radio Association. In 2007, she was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Ann Ravel, Nominee for Commissioner, Federal Election Commission

Ann Ravel is Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, a position she has held since March 2011. Prior to this, she served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Torts and Consumer Litigation in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 2009 to 2011. Previously, she served in a number of positions in the Santa Clara County Counsel's Office, most recently as the County Counsel from 1998 to 2009. Ms. Ravel served as an elected member on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California. She was a member of the Judicial Council of the State of California and Chair of the State Bar of California's Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation. Ms. Ravel received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Jon T. Rymer, Nominee for Inspector General, Department of Defense

Jon T. Rymer is the Inspector General (IG) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a position he has held since 2006. From May 2012 to January 2013, he was also the interim IG of the Securities and Exchange Commission. From 1997 to 2004, he was a Director at the accounting firm KPMG LLP. He was Executive Vice President at Boatman's Bank of Arkansas from 1992 to 1997, and Executive Vice President at First American National Bank of Tennessee from 1981 to 1992. Mr. Rymer is a 33-year veteran of the active and reserve components of the U.S. Army. He is a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. He serves on the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency as a Member of the Executive Council and as Audit Committee Chairman. Mr. Rymer received a B.A. from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.