Goldberg, Philip S. – Republic of Colombia – May 2019

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 Colombia

CANDIDATE:      Philip S. Goldberg

Ambassador Philip Goldberg, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Career Ambassador, currently serves as Senior State Department Fellow, Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.  Across the span of his distinguished career, Ambassador Goldberg has served as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the U.S. Embassy Havana, Cuba, (2018), Ambassador to the Philippines (2013 – 2016), Ambassador to Bolivia (2006 – 2008), and Chief of Mission of the U.S. Office, Prisitina, Kosovo (2004 – 2006).  In Washington Ambassador Goldberg served as Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (2010-2013).  Prior to that, he was the Department’s Coordinator for the Implementation of United Nations Resolution 1874 on North Korea Sanctions (2009-2010).  His extensive experience leading and managing complex U.S. missions with large interagency components, coupled with his broad understanding of U.S. foreign policy and security interests and of Latin America, make him well qualified to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Colombia.

Earlier in his career, Ambassador Goldberg served as Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission in Santiago, Chile (2001-2004), Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Legislative Affairs (2001), Plan Colombia Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota (2000), and Executive Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State (1998-2000).  He  also served as a member of the State Department Transition team (2000-2001).  Earlier assignments included positions as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State, Bosnia Desk Officer, and tours at U.S. missions in Pretoria and Bogota.

Ambassador Goldberg earned a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in Journalism from Boston University.  He was awarded the rank of Career Ambassador in 2018 and is the recipient of numerous awards including a Presidential Distinguished Rank Award, two Presidential Meritorious Rank Awards, and the National Intelligence Silver Seal Medallion.  He speaks and reads Spanish.