Nomination of John F. Kordek To Be United States Ambassador to Botswana

The President today announced his intention to nominate John F. Kordek, of Illinois, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, as Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana. He would succeed Natale H. Bellocchi.

Mr. Kordek joined the Foreign Service in 1964. He began his diplomatic career as vice consul at the U.S. consulate general in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. Since then he has been posted in Belgrade, Brussels, Warsaw, Caracas, and Washington, holding positions such as counselor and Charge d'Affaires. Upon his return to Washington in 1983, Mr. Kordek was assigned as Director of USIA operations in Latin America and the Caribbean. In February 1985, Mr. Kordek was appointed as Director of USIA's European operations. Mr. Kordek currently holds the position as Counselor of the USIA, the third ranking job in the USIA and the most senior career position.

Mr. Kordek graduated from Johns Hopkins University (M.A., 1967) and DePaul University (Ph.B., 1964). Mr. Kordek was born June 9, 1938, in Chicago, IL. He is married, has two children, and resides in Annandale, VA.