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: Republic of Mozambique
CANDIDATE: Dennis Walter Hearne
Dennis Walter Hearne, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Counselor, is currently the Principal Deputy High Representative, Office of the High Representative, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A former Deputy Chief of Mission in Kabul, he served four tours in Brazil and one in Portugal. An advisor to senior State Department officials, Mr. Hearne is well known for his leadership and foreign policy expertise. A strong speaker of Portuguese and very knowledgeable about the Portuguese diaspora, Mr. Hearne has managed effective public and media outreach in Lusophone nations. Mr. Hearne’s extensive conflict zone and political military background have prepared him for dealing with crises, and his time in Rio managing commercial and economic issues related to petroleum reserves has prepared him for working with Mozambique in development of its key natural gas resources.
Previously, Mr. Hearne served as Deputy Chief Mission, U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan (2016-2017), Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2015-2016), Foreign Policy Advisor to the United States Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina (2012-2015), U.S. Principal Officer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2009-2012), Political Advisor to the Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force -101 Operation Enduring Freedom, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan (2009) and Regional Advisor to Brigade Combat Teams from the U.S. Army 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, Forward Operating Base Salerno, Eastern Afghanistan (2007-2008). He was also Political Counselor and Political Section Chief, U.S. Embassy Brasilia, Brazil (2003-2007), Political-Military Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Brasilia, Brazil (1998-2002). He served in support of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, U.S. Embassy the Hague, , Consul, U.S. Embassy Zagreb, Desk Officer for Spain and Portugal, Staff Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Political Military Affairs and Vice Consul/Second Secretary, U.S. Embassy Lisbon.
Mr. Hearne earned a B.A. from Wake Forest University and a M.S. from the National War College. He is the recipient of six senior Department of State awards and the U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. He speaks Portuguese and Croatian.