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 South Sudan
CANDIDATE: Thomas J. Hushek
Thomas J. Hushek, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is currently the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Department of State. A three-time Deputy Chief of Mission and the Director of two State Department Offices, Mr. Hushek is known for his management and communication skills, economic acumen and ability to successfully guide critical programs and operations at high-threat posts. In addition to his demonstrated ability to lead interagency teams, his broad knowledge of Washington and his program management expertise, these skills make him an excellent candidate for U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan.
Previously, Mr. Hushek served as Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, Vienna, Austria (2013-2015) and Director, Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan (2012-2013). At the State Department, he was Director, Office of Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration (2010-2012) and Director, Office of Central Asian Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (2008-2010). He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Dushanbe, Tajikistan (2006-2008) and U.S. Embassy Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia (2002-2004), was Senior Civilian Representative, Provincial Reconstruction Team, Herat, Afghanistan (2004-2005) and was Refugee Coordinator, U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan (1999-2002). He also served at the State Department as the Pakistan and Afghanistan Desk Officer, as a Human Rights Officer and on a detail to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; and overseas at the U.S Embassies in Moscow, Russia and Khartoum, Sudan. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was a Refugee Resettlement Assistant, Catholic Social Services in Wisconsin and an intern in Peshawar, Pakistan for Austrian Relief Committee for Afghan Refugees and International Rescue Committee.
Mr. Hushek earned a M.A. from Colombia University, New York, New York in 1987 and a B.A from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin in 1985. He is the recipient of 11 notable senior State Department awards and speaks Russian and Persian (Dari, Tajiki).