New U.S. Ambassador to Georgia sworn in
New U.S. Ambassador to Georgia sworn in

Kelly Degnan was sworn in as new U.S. Ambassador to Georgia at the U.S. Department of State.

David Hale, the United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs attended the oath-taking ceremony.

The White House presented the candidacy of Kelly Degnan for post of U.S. Ambassador to Georgia in September of 2019. The Senate approved Degnan’s candidacy in December.

Degnan previously served as a political adviser to the commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa. A native of California, Degnan’s career has spanned 25 years and has included senior diplomatic postings to Italy, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

Degnan also served as the deputy executive secretary of the State Department, political counsellor at the U.S. mission to NATO, and special assistant to the secretary of state. Degnan speaks Italian, French, Turkish, and Urdu.

Elizabeth Rood has served as acting ambassador to Georgia since Ambassador Ian Kelly departed in March 2018.