S. Fitzgerald Haney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
'Fitz' Haney
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| S. Fitzgerald Haney | |
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| U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica | |
| In office July 8, 2015 – July 15, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Anne Slaughter Andrew |
| Succeeded by | Sharon Day |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Stafford Fitzgerald Haney
January 3, 1969 Nashville, Tennessee |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Andrea Dobrick |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Georgetown University |
| Occupation | Diplomat, businessman |
| Awards | Grand Silver Cross of the National Order of Juan Mora Fernández |
Stafford Fitzgerald Haney (born January 3, 1969) is an American diplomat and businessman. He was the U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica from 2015 to 2017. President Barack Obama chose him for the role on July 8, 2014. The Senate confirmed his appointment on May 23, 2015. He continued his service until July 15, 2017. He was the only ambassador appointed by President Obama who stayed on during the Donald Trump administration.
Haney was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up in Naperville, Illinois. He studied at Georgetown University. There, he earned degrees in international economics and international business and diplomacy.
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Early Life and Education
Stafford Fitzgerald Haney was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He finished high school in Naperville, Illinois, in 1986.
He earned his first degree in international economics in 1990. He then received a master's degree in international business diplomacy in 1991. Both degrees were from Georgetown University.
After college, Haney moved to Latin America. He worked for American companies in places like Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil. After almost ten years, he moved to Israel. There, he met his wife, Rabbi Andrea Haney. They moved back to the United States in 2002. They settled in Englewood, New Jersey.
Business Career
Haney started his career at Procter & Gamble in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He worked in marketing for three years. He then joined PepsiCo Restaurants International in 1994. He was a marketing manager in Puerto Rico.
In 1995, PepsiCo moved him to Mexico City. He became the marketing manager for Mexico and Central America. He helped create a new line of lower-cost pizzas called Pizza Mia. This was during an economic crisis.
In 1996, Haney became the marketing director for PepsiCo Restaurants in Brazil. He was in charge of marketing and strategy for both Pizza Hut and KFC brands. He helped improve the businesses there.
In 1997, Haney became a vice president at Citibank Mexico. He helped develop strategies for Citibank's large consumer business in Mexico.
Work in New York
In 2002, Haney joined the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) in New York City. He worked on strategy and new business development.
Later, in 2006, he became a Senior Vice President at IDT Corporation. This company is in Newark, New Jersey.
From 2007 to 2015, he worked at Pzena Investment Management. He was a Principal and Director of Business Development. He worked in New York City, London, and the Middle East.
Becoming an Ambassador
On July 8, 2014, President Obama announced he wanted Haney to be the U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica. Haney spoke before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 25, 2014. Senator Tim Kaine led the meeting.
The Senate approved his nomination on May 23, 2015. He was one of the few people confirmed by the Senate at that time.
Haney officially became the U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica on June 1, 2015. He arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica on June 28, 2015. He presented his official papers to President Luis Guillermo Solis on July 8, 2015.
In January 2017, the new Trump administration asked all ambassadors appointed by President Obama to leave their jobs. However, Haney was allowed to stay in his post in San Jose. This made him the only ambassador appointed by Obama to continue serving under the Trump administration.
On July 13, 2017, the Government of Costa Rica honored Haney. They gave him the Grand Silver Cross of the National Order of Juan Mora Fernández. This was for his excellent service to the country.
Haney finished his time as ambassador on July 15, 2017.
Dancing with the Stars in Costa Rica
After his time as ambassador, Haney joined the TV show Dancing with the Stars in Costa Rica. This was in July 2017. The show is very popular in Costa Rica.
Haney was known as "Mr. Fitz" on the show. He danced with Lucia Jimenez, who had won the previous season. Haney made it to the show's finale. He finished in second place, with almost 30% of the public votes. The finale of that season broke records for the number of votes.
Personal Life
In July 2000, Haney married Andrea Dobrick. She became a Conservative Rabbi in 2000. They have four children.
