Brewster, James Walter, 1960-

<p>James Walter Brewster Jr. (born 1960), commonly known as Wally Brewster, served as the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. He was unanimously confirmed by the Senate of the United States on November 14, 2013. Brewster was the first person in a same-sex marriage to represent the United States at the ambassadorial level in the Americas. He left office on January 20, 2017. Ambassador Brewster currently serves as a Principal for Insignias Global, an international political and brand advisory firm. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Atlantic Council, Parliamentarians for Global Action and the National Democratic institute.</p>

<p>Brewster was born in 1960. A native of Lindale, Texas, Brewster earned an A.A. in marketing at Tyler Junior College in Texas in 1980 and completed his education in business administration at Texas A&M University in 1983.</p>

<p>Brewster is an internationally recognized diplomat and business leader. His career began with marketing and management positions in the Dallas area. In 1996, he moved to Chicago to work for a real estate investment trust, General Growth Properties, where he eventually became senior vice president for marketing and communications. In 2010, Brewster started his own company, SB&K Global, also based in Chicago.</p>

<p>In addition to his business career, Brewster served as the National Co-Chair of the LGBT Leadership Council for the Democratic National Committee and held the same role in the Obama 2012 campaign. As a fundraiser for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign, Brewster and Satawake raised over $1,000,000 in donations. Brewster was also involved with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for more than 30 years and served on its National Board of Directors.</p>

<p>President Obama nominated Brewster for the post of Ambassador to the Dominican Republic on June 21, 2013, to replace Raul Humberto Yzaguirre, who resigned in May citing health reasons. The U.S. embassy in Santo Domingo noted the nomination on its website: "This nomination, given the close relationship between Mr. Brewster and President Obama, points to the importance of the Dominican Republic to the United States." When asked how the government of the Dominican Republic viewed the nomination in light of Brewster's sexual orientation, César Pina Toribio, legal advisor to Dominican President Danilo Medina said the nomination demonstrated that the government had been consulted and not objected.</p>

<p>On October 31, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee cleared the nominated and sent it to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment as Ambassador to the Dominican Republic on November 14 and he was sworn in by Vice-President Joe Biden at the White House on November 22. On the evening of that day, Brewster married his partner of 25 years, luxury real estate executive, author and social activist, Bob J. Satawake. The ceremony and reception were held at the Hay-Adams Hotel, near the White House.</p>

<p>Ambassador James (Wally) Brewster is an internationally recognized executive, political leader, human rights activist, and motivational speaker. Ambassador Brewster is currently the CEO of Insignias Global, a strategy firm representing top CEOs and political leaders around the globe.</p>

<p>Most recently, he served as the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Sworn into office on November 26, 2013 during the administration of President Barack Obama, his appointment - which was unanimously confirmed by the Senate - made history when he became the first openly gay Ambassador to serve the United States in the Western Hemisphere alongside his husband, Author Bob J. Satawake.</p>

<p>Ambassador Brewster’s political, strategic, and policy expertise is credited for making landmark and unprecedented diplomatic and societal advancements - all despite the well documented obstacles that consistently challenged his efforts.</p>

<p>From exposing corruption, to advancing the rights of the marginalized, to changing the landscape of equality in Latin America – the Ambassador's dedicated work with multiple governments is responsible for accomplishing critical initiatives during his term, included protecting the rights of the stateless population of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic, advocating equal representation for LGBTQ individuals, exposing the human trafficking of women and young girls, and increasing the awareness of gender-based violence.</p>

<p>Ambassador Brewster has been recognized for his successful leadership in spearheading policies and negotiations that have led to key advancements in environmental laws, public health programs, indictment of corrupt foreign officials, trade policy, international immigration laws, and enforcement of drug policies against international drug cartels. He was a top negotiator for multiple agreements and treaties between the U.S. and foreign governments.</p>

<p>As an expert in Latin America and the Caribbean business and political communities, he had a positive and significant impact on trade between the U.S. and countries in the Western Hemisphere. His knowledge of NAFTA, CAFTA, HELP and HOPE in addition to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and trade policy has made the Ambassador a top resource for international companies and leaders of foreign governments.</p>

<p>Prior to his position as a U.S. Ambassador, the Ambassador was the managing partner of SB&K Global, an executive strategy firm specializing in consumer dynamics, political and human rights advocacy and reputation management, and Officer/Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications for General Growth Properties, the country’s second largest Shopping Mall REIT with over 250 shopping malls worldwide.</p>

<p>Having served as a diplomat, chief executive and corporate leader, he has a deep understanding of how consumerism and cultural dynamics impact international business and development. Through his robust political and professional experiences, Ambassador Brewster has proven to be an innovator and leading expert in the areas of international politics, trade, government relations, business strategy, diplomacy, crisis communication, global retail and product development, consumer evolution, market intelligence, positioning and branding.</p>

<p>Ambassador Brewster continues to promote democracy around the world, meeting with leaders in Western Europe and Latin America while serving on the Advisory Boards of the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), National Democratic Institute - Ambassador’s Circle (NDI), and The Atlantic Council - Ambassador Leadership Council.</p>

<p>He is also an active leader in advancing the rights and freedom of all individuals, including having served as the National Co-Chair of the LGBT Leadership Council for the Democratic National Committee and the National LGBT Co-Chair of the Obama 2012 Re-Elect Campaign. He has also been involved with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for more than 30 years and served on its National Board of Directors. In addition, the Ambassador was the National Co-Chair of the Obama Leadership Circle, as well as a Presidential Partner and National Finance Committee member.</p>

<p>A native of Lindale, Texas, Ambassador Brewster received his education in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing at Tyler Junior College and Texas A&M University.</p>