Updated: May 10, 2024, at 6:15 p.m.
President Joe Biden nominated an alumni to a sub-cabinet post and another to a diplomatic post Thursday.
Biden nominated Tonya P. Wilkerson to be the under secretary of defense for intelligence and security and Abigail L. Dressel to be the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of Angola and ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, according to a White House release. Seven individuals, including Wilkerson and Dressel, were nominated, with Dressel’s nomination being sent to the Senate for confirmation.
Wilkerson received a master’s degree in engineering management from GW and is currently the deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. She previously served as the associate deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency for Science and Technology from 2019 to 2021, according to her LinkedIn.
Wilkerson also served as the director of mission operations directorate for the National Reconnaissance Office from 2015 to 2019, according to her LinkedIn.
Dressel received her bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the University in 2001, according to her Linkedin. She is currently the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina and previously served as the deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Embassy in Mozambique from 2019 to 2022, according to the release.
From 2017 to 2019, Dressel was the counselor for public affairs for the U.S. Embassy in Colombia and from 2014 to 2017, she worked as the counselor for public affairs for the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, according to her Linkedin. From 2013 to 2014, she served as the program officer for the U.S. Consulate in Brazil.
From 2011 to 2014, she was the director of the Department of State’s Office of International Media Engagement. From 2002 to 2011, Dressel held positions at U.S. Embassies in Portugal, Angola, Peru, and El Salvador, including public affairs officer and assistant cultural affairs officer.
This post was been updated to correct the following:
The Hatchet incorrectly reported that the under secretary of defense for intelligence and security, a sub-Cabinet position, and the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of Angola and ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, a diplomatic appointment, are cabinet positions. We regret these errors.
