President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Donald Lu - Ambassador to the Republic of Albania, Department of State
• Robert A. Sherman - Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic, Department of State
• Leslie E. Bains – Member, Board of Directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

President Obama said, “These individuals have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Donald Lu, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Albania, Department of State
Donald Lu, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.  Previously, he served at the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan as the Charge d’Affaires from 2009 to 2010 and the Deputy Chief of Mission from 2007 to 2009.  From 2003 to 2006, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  Mr. Lu served as the Deputy Director for the Office of Central Asian and South Caucasus Affairs from 2001 to 2003 and Special Assistant to the Ambassador for the Newly Independent States from 2000 to 2001.  Other overseas assignments include: Special Assistant to the Ambassador and then Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Political Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan.  Mr. Lu was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone from 1988 to 1990.  He received a B.A. and M.A from Princeton University.

Robert A. Sherman, Nominee for Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic, Department of State
Robert A.  Sherman is a founding member of the Boston office of Greenberg Traurig, LLP where he has practiced since 1999.  From 1999 to 2008, he served as co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.  Mr. Sherman is a Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council since his appointment in January 2013.  From 1994 to 1999, he served as Special Counsel and then Partner at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC.  Mr. Sherman was an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General where he served as Special Counsel to the Attorney General and Chief of the Consumer Protection Division from 1991 to 1993.  He received a B.A. from the University of Rochester and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Leslie E. Bains, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation
Leslie E. Bains is a Managing Director at Citi Private Bank, Head of New Client Development and Marketing, North America, a position she has held since 2009.  From 2005 to 2009, Ms. Bains was Vice Chairman and a Director of Modern Bank.  Previously, from 2004 to 2005, she was the President of AFS International, a non-profit student international exchange organization.  She served as a Senior Executive Vice President with HSBC Bank North America from 1993 to 2003.  From 1991 to 1993, she was a Managing Director of Citibank.  Prior to this, Ms. Bains was a Senior Vice President and Group Executive with Chase Manhattan Bank from 1980 to 1991.  She began her career in 1965 with Citibank and Manufacturers Hanover serving in various positions in portfolio management, equity research, sales, and marketing.  Ms. Bains received a B.A. from American University.