He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 5, 1999, where he had been introduced by Republican Senator John Warner. On August 17, 1999, he was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Fiji and to the Republic of Nauru, to the Kingdom of Tonga and to Tuvalu.
He was officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 5, 1999, where Republican Senator John Warner had introduced him. Shortly thereafter, on August 17, 1999, he was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to several Pacific island nations, including Fiji, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu.