President Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key position in his Administration:

Patricia Mahoney of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Benin.

Ms. Mahoney is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor. She currently serves as the office director for the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Previously, Ms. Mahoney held senior leadership positions as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the American embassies in Kampala, Uganda and Kathmandu, Nepal. Ms. Mahoney also served as director of South Asia for the National Security Council along with other assignments domestically and abroad. She earned a B.A. cum laude from Harvard University, an M.A from the University of Hawaii, and an M.S. degree from the National War College. Ms. Mahoney speaks French, Thai, Nepali, and Lao.