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: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
CANDIDATE: Daniel J. Kritenbrink
Daniel J. Kritenbrink, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is the Senior Advisor for North Korea Policy. Mr. Kritenbrink was previously the Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council where he worked extensively on Vietnam and oversaw the negotiation of two Joint Statements regarding our Comprehensive Partnership with Vietnam. As Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China, he managed one of our largest and most complex missions with over 2,200 employees representing 48 different offices and agencies. He has two decades of experience in the field and in Washington working on Asian affairs as an analyst, practitioner, and policy maker. His demonstrated ability to lead a diverse and action-oriented team while managing a highly challenging bilateral relationship, coupled with his extensive experience in Asia and on issues ranging from security to development to commercial advocacy, makes him an excellent candidate for U.S. Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Previously, Mr. Kritenbrink also served as the Political Minister Counselor, U.S. Embassy Beijing, China (2011-2013), Director of the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs (2009 – 2011), as well as a Political Officer in Beijing (2006-2009). Mr. Kritenbrink spent two years in Chinese language studies (2004-2006). He served as a Political-Military officer in Embassy Tokyo, Japan, immediately after participating in a university training program in Tokyo (2000-2001). Mr. Kritenbrink also was a Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (1999-2000) after serving as both a General Services Officer and a Consular Officer at Embassy Kuwait (1997-1999).
Mr. Kritenbrink earned a M.A. from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1993 and a B.A from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Kearney, Nebraska, in 1991. He is the recipient of 10 notable State Department Awards for his performance. He speaks fluent Chinese and Japanese.