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.
After being endorsed by the U.S. Senate on August 5, 1999, he was formally introduced by Republican Senator John Warner. A few days later, on August 17, 1999, he officially assumed his role as U.S. Ambassador to several Pacific island nations, including Fiji, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu.