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 Liberia
CANDIDATE: Mark Toner
Mark Toner, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as the Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy, Paris, France. Previously, Mr. Toner was a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of State, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Washington, D.C. and, prior to that, was a Senior Faculty Advisor at the National Defense University. Earlier, Mr. Toner held positions as the State Department’s Deputy Spokesperson (and Acting Spokesperson), and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European Affairs. With three decades of experience as a diplomat, Mr. Toner’s extensive background in public diplomacy and engagement, coupled with his demonstrated ability to skillfully present and explain complicated policy issues makes him a well-qualified candidate to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia.
Mr. Toner’s earlier postings include assignments as Deputy Spokesperson in the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs; Director of Press Operations in the Bureau of Public Affairs, and as Director of Press and Public Affairs in the Bureau of European Affairs. He also served as Spokesperson at the U.S. Mission to NATO, Brussels, Belgium, and as a Senior Watch Officer in the Department of State’s Emergency Operations Center. Among his other assignments Mr. Toner worked as a press officer in the European Affairs Bureau and as a Professional Staff Member for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia.
Mr. Toner earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and his master’s degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C. He is the recipient of multiple State Department performance awards and speaks French and Polish.