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 Estonia
CANDIDATE: Edward Masso
Rear Admiral Edward Masso is the founder and president of Flagship Connection, a consulting company focused on business development, strategic planning and operations analysis in the areas of shipboard combat systems, integrated Anti-submarine warfare, data analytics, Missile Defense and Cyber Security. Prior to forming Flagship Connection in 2010, Rear Admiral Masso had a distinguished 32-year career in the U.S. Navy during which he held nine command positions including Vice Commander US Surface Forces Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education. He also served in two NATO commands, the US European Command, and US Sixth Fleet in operational assignments. Rear Admiral Masso’s extensive knowledge of the European theater and its security issues coupled with his demonstrated record of accomplishment as a strategic thinker and leader who values and inspires people, makes him well-qualified to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Estonia.
In addition to leading Flaghship Connection, Rear Admiral Masso is also a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies in Cyber Security in Arlington, Virginia and a member of the Board of Advisors of Blue Ridge Networks, a Cyber-security Company in Chantilly, Virginia.
Rear Admiral Masso received a BAE from the University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi in 1977. A highly decorated veteran, he received eleven personal awards during his career, including the Navy’s Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation his Command received for service in the Pentagon during 9/11.