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: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
CANDIDATE: Michael Arthur Raynor
Michael Arthur Raynor, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is the Director, Office of Career Development and Assignments, Bureau of Human Resources, Department of State, where he oversees career development for all 14,000-plus members of the Foreign Service. A former U.S. ambassador in Africa, he has extensive Africa policy and managerial experience as well as a strong record of leadership in difficult environments and a sustained pattern of fostering interagency collaboration, team-building, and strong operational effectiveness especially relating to democracy and counter-terrorism. His grounding in African affairs includes six overseas assignments covering all African sub-regions plus three domestic assignments working on Africa. As the Africa Bureau’s executive director, he directed management and crisis support to the bureau’s 53 U.S. embassies and consulates. As Assistant Chief of Mission in Kabul, he oversaw ten U.S. agencies and sections with 1,450 employees.
Previously, Mr. Raynor served as the Assistant Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan (2015-2016) and as Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin (2012-2015). At the Department of State, he was Executive Director (2010-2012) and Deputy Executive Director (2008-2010), Bureau of African Affairs. Overseas, Mr. Raynor was the Management Counselor, U.S. Embassy Harare, Zimbabwe (2004-2008). Other overseas assignments at U.S. embassies include tours as Management Officer in Namibia, Guinea and Djibouti (serving at each post for extended periods as Chargé d’Affaires or Acting Deputy Chief of Mission), Consular Officer in Luxembourg and General Services Officer in Brazzaville, Congo. Additional domestic assignments at the Department of State include Zimbabwe Desk Officer, Legislative Management Officer for the Bureau of African Affairs and Special Assistant in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Mr. Raynor also served as an analyst for the U.S. Senate’s Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition in 1987.
Mr. Raynor earned a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University, New York, New York in 1986 and a B.A. from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania in 1984. He is the recipient of a 15 notable State Department Awards, including the Leamon R. Hunt Award for Management Excellence. He speaks fluent French and basic Italian.