List of ambassadors of the United States to Namibia

Ambassador of the United States to Namibia
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent Randy W. Berry since February 9, 2023
Nominator	The President of the United States
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Inaugural holder	Genta H. Holmes as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Formation	August 6, 1990
Website	na.usembassy.gov

The United States ambassador to Namibia is the representative of the government of the United States in Namibia.

The position was created the day Namibia became independent, which was also the day that Namibia-United States relations were established. On that same day, the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek was opened in recognition of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The U.S. Liaison Office in Windhoek opened February 24, 1984, with William H. Twaddell as Director and closed February 15, 1985. During this time the following officers served as Director: Dennis Whyte Keogh (March–April 1984), Howard Jeter (April–May 1984), and William L. Jacobsen Jr. (May 1984–February 1985). It reopened on June 1, 1989, with Roger A. McGuire as Director. McGuire became chargé d'affaires ad interim when the Liaison Office was elevated to embassy status on March 21, 1990. The first ambassador, Genta H. Holmes was appointed on August 6, 1990. The United States has maintained diplomatic relations with Namibia since that time.

Ambassadors

U.S. diplomatic terms
Career FSO After 1915, The United States Department of State began classifying ambassadors as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for those who have served in the Foreign Service for a specified amount of time. Political appointee A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends). Appointed The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as "commissioning". It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate to remain in office. Presented credentials The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador's arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador's letter, but this occurs only rarely. Terminated mission Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador's commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy. Chargé d'affaires The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country. Ad interim Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime".

U.S. diplomatic terms

Career FSO
After 1915, The United States Department of State began classifying ambassadors as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for those who have served in the Foreign Service for a specified amount of time.

Political appointee
A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends).

Appointed
The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as "commissioning". It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate to remain in office.

Presented credentials
The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador's arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador's letter, but this occurs only rarely.

Terminated mission
Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador's commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy.

Chargé d'affaires
The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country.

Ad interim
Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime".


Name	Title	Appointed	Presented credentials	Terminated mission
Genta H. Holmes – Career FSO	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	August 6, 1990	August 30, 1990	September 6, 1992
Marshall Fletcher McCallie – Career FSO		May 25, 1993	July 7, 1993	July 12, 1996
George F. Ward – Career FSO		June 11, 1996	August 21, 1996	March 14, 1999
Jeffrey A. Bader – Career FSO		August 9, 1999	October 13, 1999	April 6, 2001
Kevin Joseph McGuire – Career FSO		October 1, 2001	November 21, 2001	July 16, 2004
Joyce A. Barr – Career FSO		July 2, 2004	October 27, 2004	July 31, 2007
Gail D. Mathieu – Career FSO		November 15, 2007	November 21, 2007	September 4, 2010
Wanda L. Nesbitt – Career FSO		September 24, 2010	November 24, 2010	November 15, 2013
Thomas F. Daughton – Career FSO		September 18, 2014	November 26, 2014	December 21, 2017^[1]
Lisa A. Johnson – Career FSO		November 21, 2017	February 21, 2018	July 2, 2021^[2]
Randy W. Berry – Career FSO		September 20, 2022	February 9, 2023	Incumbent

References

^ "Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton". Retrieved 2018-10-12.
^ "Lisa A. Johnson". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2021-12-13.

United States Department of State: Background notes on Namibia
This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.