REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4)
POST: Democratic Republic of the Congo
CANDIDATE: Michael A. Hammer
Michael A. Hammer, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister Counselor, currently serves as Acting Senior Vice-President, National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C. From 2016-2017 he was Vice Chancellor at the College of International Security Affairs and Deputy Commandant at Eisenhower School at NDU. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Chile (2014-2016). He served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of State (2012-2013). Mr. Hammer is widely recognized for his broad policy formulation and implementation skills, including notable leadership of the interagency process. He has managed large staffs and promoted innovation to effectively engage new and diverse audiences. His contacts are wide-ranging and he has excelled at operating in diverse policy environments, whether leading teams abroad or navigating Washington’s corridors. He is a highly skilled, experienced choice to be Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mr. Hammer has also served as Special Assistant to the President as Senior Director for Press and Communications, and Spokesman for the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House (2009-2011), Political and Economic Counselor in La Paz, Bolivia (2007-2009), Political and Economic Counselor in Oslo, Norway (2003-2006), Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs (2001-2003), Director for Andean Affairs at the NSC (2000-2001), Deputy Spokesman, NSC (1999-2000), Political Officer and Consul in Reykjavik, Iceland (1995-1999). He also served at the U.S. mission in Denmark and in Washington as Desk Officer for Iceland, Croatia and for Spain/Portugal, and Watch Officer in the Operations Center.
Mr. Hammer earned a M.S. at the National Defense University National War College, a M.A. from Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a B.S. from Georgetown University. He is fluent in Spanish, speaks French and Portuguese, and has a working knowledge of Icelandic. Mr. Hammer is the recipient of a Distinguished Honor Award, the Navy’s Public Service Award, the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Public Diplomacy, three individual Superior Honor Awards, and three Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards.