The White House announced its intent to nominate Robert Cekuta as the next U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan on July 8, replacing the outgoing ambassador, Richard Morningstar.
Cekuta is a career diplomat, currently serving as the principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Energy Resources at the State Department.
He previously served in a variety of posts at U.S. embassies in Kabul, Tokyo, and Berlin.
Morningstar is leaving his post this summer, having held it since June 2012.
Cekuta's nomination, like all ambassadors, is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.