Robert A. Mandell, nominated in June, was confirmed by unanimous consent.

A Florida real estate developer, he has served on the boards of directors of several hospital systems and medical research institutes, the president’s Export Council, and local government panels on transportation and education. Mandell received a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor from the University of Florida.

He reportedly donated $30,000 to Obama’s 2008 election campaign and $50,000 to the president’s inauguration committee, in addition to supporting previous Democratic Party candidates over several years.

The previous American ambassador, Cynthia Stroum, abruptly resigned in January --after less than a year’s service--citing the need to “focus on my family and personal business.” However reports leaked to the media indicate major conflicts within the embassy over her management style and irregular expense reports.

Since then, the US mission has been managed by its chargé d’affaires, David R. Fetter (photo, centre).

Mandell is expected to arrive in the Grand Duchy “within the next few weeks,” according to an embassy spokeswoman. The date for him to present his credentials to the Grand Duke has not yet been set.