Robert S. Gilchrist

Robert S. Gilchrist (born 1964) is an American diplomat who is the United States Ambassador to Lithuania since 2019. He was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on December 20, 2019. [3] Gilchrist was the fifth US Ambassador from the LGBT community nominated to serve by the Trump administration.[4][5]

Robert S. Gilchrist
United States Ambassador to Lithuania
Incumbent
Assumed office February 4, 2020
President	Donald Trump Joe Biden
Preceded by	Anne Hall
Personal details
Born	Robert Stuart Gilchrist[1] 1964 Leesburg, Florida[2]
Nationality	American
Education	Wake Forest University (B.A.) University of Virginia (M.A.)

Early life and education

Gilchrist earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and a Master of Arts from the University of Virginia.[6]

Career

Gilchrist was Director of the United States Department of State Operations Center, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Sweden, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Estonia, and the Director of Nordic and Baltic Affairs in the State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Among his earlier assignments, he was Deputy Political Counselor at the United States Embassy in Iraq, Chief of the Political Section of the United States Embassy in Romania, and a Special Assistant in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of State.[6]

United States Ambassador to Lithuania

On July 22, 2019, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Gilchrist to be the United States Ambassador to Lithuania.[6] His nomination was sent to the Senate on August 1, 2019.[7] Russian hostility was a central topic during his confirmation hearings.[8] On December 19, 2019, his nomination was confirmed in the Senate by voice vote.[9] Gilchrist is the fifth LGBT ambassador confirmed under the Trump administration.[10][11] He presented his credentials to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on February 4, 2020.[12]

Personal life

He speaks Spanish, French, Estonian, and Romanian.[6]

See also

• List of ambassadors of the United States
• GLIFAA (Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies)

References

1. "Executive Reports of Committees". U.S. Congress. November 20, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
2. King, Kerry (2020-02-18). "On the World Stage: Bob Gilchrist ('86) on climbing the monkey bars, life in the Foreign Service, and his latest role as U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania". Wake Forest Magazine. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
3. Spero, Domani (2019-07-29). "Ops Center Director Robert S. Gilchrist to be U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania". Diplopundit. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
4. {{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2019/07/26/trump-nominates-third-gay-ambassador/%7Ctitle=Trump nominates third gay ambassador|date=2019-07-26|
5. "Gilchrist, Robert S. - Republic of Lithuania - August 2019". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
6. "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts" White House, July 22, 2019 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
7. "Six Nominations Sent to the Senate", White House, August 1, 2019
8. Johnson, Chris (October 29, 2019). "Trump's gay ambassadorial pick handles questions on Russia's hostility". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
9. "PN1036 - Nomination of Robert S. Gilchrist for Department of State, 116th Congress (2019-2020)". www.congress.gov. December 19, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
10. "Veteran Gay Diplomat Confirmed as Ambassador to Lithuania". www.advocate.com. December 20, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
11. Johnson, Chris (December 21, 2019). "Senate confirms fifth openly gay ambassador under Trump". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
12. "U.S. Ambassador Robert S. Gilchrist presents credentials to President Nausėda". U.S. Embassy in Lithuania. Retrieved February 14, 2020.