Michael A. Hammer

Michael A. Hammer (born December 26, 1963) is a United States career diplomat who was the United States Ambassador to Chile. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 6, 2014 and sworn in on March 7, 2014.[3] He was nominated to be the next ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by President Donald Trump on June 20, 2018 and confirmed by the Senate on September 6, 2018.[4]

For the businessman and philanthropist, see Michael Armand Hammer.

Michael A. Hammer
United States Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Incumbent
Assumed office December 22, 2018[1]
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	James Swan
United States Ambassador to Chile
In office April 8, 2014 – August 2016
President	Barack Obama
Deputy	Dale Eppler[2]
Preceded by	Alejandro Wolff
Succeeded by	Carol Perez
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
In office March 14, 2011 – September 3, 2013 Acting: March 14, 2011 – March 30, 2012
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Philip Crowley
Succeeded by	Douglas Frantz
Personal details
Born	(1963-12-26) December 26, 1963
Alma mater	Georgetown University (BA) Tufts University (MA) National Defense University (MA)

Education

Hammer grew up in Latin America, living in Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.[5] He received a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, and master's degrees from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and the National War College at the National Defense University.

Career

Mike Hammer is a career member of the United States Senior Foreign Service. On June 21, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Hammer to be the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Chile. From 2012 to 2013, Hammer served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. He served as Acting Assistant Secretary from 2011 to 2012.[6]

Immediately prior, Hammer served as Special Assistant to the President, Senior Director for Press and Communications, and Spokesman at the National Security Council at the White House from 2009 to 2011. He also previously served at the National Security Council as Deputy Spokesman (from 1999-2000) and Director for Andean Affairs (from 2000-2001).[6]

Hammer joined the Foreign Service in 1988 and has served abroad in Bolivia, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. In Washington, he has served in the State Department’s Operations Center and as Special Assistant to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman, where Hammer was responsible for Latin American affairs.[6]

Personal life

Hammer is married with three children. He is fluent in Spanish, French, and Icelandic.[6]

References

1. "Ambassador Mike Hammer presents his credentials and assumes full duties as U.S. Ambassador to the DRC". U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
2. "Deputy Chief of Mission". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
3. "Michael A. Hammer". U.S. Ambassador to Chile. U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 4 April 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
4. "PN2172 — Michael A. Hammer — Department of State". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
5. "Hammer, Michael A." U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 2011-04-04.
6. "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts". whitehouse.gov.

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN

Political offices
Preceded by Philip Crowley	Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs 2011–2013 Acting: 2011–2012	Succeeded by Douglas Frantz
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Alejandro Wolff	United States Ambassador to Chile 2014–2016	Succeeded by Carol Perez
Preceded by James C. Swan	United States to the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2018–present	Incumbent