President Obama nominated John R. Bass for ambassadorial post in Georgia to replace John Tefft, who has served in Georgia since 2005.

John Bass has led the Provincial Reconstruction Team-Baghdad, a joint team of civilians and military personnel supporting the government and citizens of Baghdad province, since July 2008, according to the White House.

Prior to serving in Iraq, Bass, a career diplomat, served as Director of the State Department Operations Center for three years, coordinating the State Department’s response to crises threatening American embassies, personnel and citizens. Bass also has served in Italy, Belgium and Chad; other assignments at the State Department included work on Turkey, Cyprus, NATO-Russia relations and conventional arms reductions in Europe.