Stafford Fitzgerald Haney was formally introduced as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Costa Rica on Tuesday afternoon at the San Pedro office of the Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano. He arrived in our country over the weekend.

During his press conference, Ambassador S. Fitzgerald Haney, an economist by trade, highlighted the smooth business relationship between Costa Rica and the United States. He also mentioned that Costa Rica could become a force of business change in the region; this despite the capital flight and loss of jobs by foreign firms such as Intel in recent years. The U.S. Ambassador believes that Costa Rica can further attract foreign investment by means of presenting diversification and competitiveness.

Moreover, Ambassador Haney mentioned that human capital is one of Costa Rica’s greatest business strengths, and that the United States is prepared to extend technical training in this regard. Finally, the Ambassador explained that security and environmental conservation are two important topics of collaboration between the two nations, and he also took time to praise the recent U.S. Supreme Court affirmation of LGBT marriage as a Constitutional right.

Following is the biography of Ambassador Haney as provided by his Embassy during his nomination:

S. Fitzgerald Haney, an international businessman with many years of experience serving in senior-level marketing, financial services and manufacturing positions across Latin America, is a Principal and Director of Business Development and Client Service (Europe, Middle East and Africa) at Pzena Investment Management, in New York City, a position he has held since 2007. Previously, Mr. Haney served as Senior Vice President of Ethnic Consumer Products at International Discount Telecommunications (IDT) in Newark, New Jersey from 2006 to 2007, Director of Strategic Planning at Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation in New York City from 2002 to 2006, Senior Associate at Israel Seed Partners in Jerusalem from 1999 to 2001 and Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning at Citibank in Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico from 1997 to 1999. He held various positions with PepsiCo Restaurants International from 1993 to 1997, including Marketing Director in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Senior Marketing Manager for Mexico and Central America in Mexico City, Mexico and Marketing Manager in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was also Assistant Brand Manager at Procter and Gamble in San Juan, Puerto Rico and served as Appointed Member of the City of Englewood Planning Board and Board of Adjustment in Englewood, New Jersey.

Mr. Haney earned a B.S. in international economics and a M.S. with distinction in international business and diplomacy from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Washington, D.C., 1986-1991. He was the recipient of the Brunswick-Hanigan Scholarship, the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence and Distinction in Oral Examination at Georgetown University and is a Member of the National Jesuit Honor Society. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew and Conversational French.

Mr. Haney has served on a number of non-profit and community boards such as the Foundation of Jewish Culture (co-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer); Ayecha, a resource organization for Jews of Color and as an appointed member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council.

Mr. Haney was born in Nashville, TN and grew up outside of Chicago, in Naperville, IL. He is married to Rabbi Andrea Haney and the couple resides in Englewood, NJ with their four children.