Duluth native Nides chosen by Biden as ambassador to Israel

Jun. 16—President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that Thomas Nides, a Duluth native, is his pick as the next United States Ambassador to Israel.

Nides, 60, is the managing director and vice chairman of investment banking company Morgan Stanley. He served as deputy secretary of state for management and resources from 2011 to 2013 during President Barack Obama's administration. He was awarded the nation's highest diplomatic honor, the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award, in 2013 by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Previously, Nides was worldwide president and chief administrative officer of global public relations company Burson-Marsteller, chief administrative officer and member of the executive board of Credit Suisse First Boston, and a senior vice president and member of the operating committee at Fannie Mae. He worked on several campaigns, including former Vice President Walter Mondale's 1984 presidential run.

Nides was among nine nominations officially announced by Biden on Tuesday. All selections still must be confirmed by the Senate.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that Nides established himself as a key voice on Israel and advocate for humanitarian support for U.S. allies during his time with the Obama administration.

"Tom Nides grew up in Duluth and has been a good friend since we met as college interns for then-Vice President Mondale. In that job, Tom's first assignment in governing was saving a Lake Superior fog horn for the city of Duluth. Since then he has served ably — and most importantly, optimistically — in many leadership positions, including at the State Department," Klobuchar said.

"Now, more than ever, we need an ambassador committed to fostering enduring peace and stability," she said. "I am confident that as ambassador, Tom will further the deep alliance between our two nations and our commitment to lasting prosperity in the region."

Nides is a 1979 Duluth East graduate and has a degree in political science from the University of Minnesota. He is the son of Duluthians Arnold Nides, who died in 2004, and Shirley Nides, who died in 1999. His wife, Virginia Moseley, is CNN's senior vice president of newsgathering for the network's U.S. operation. They have two children.

His older sister, Jane Nides, who lives in Minneapolis and is the self-described CEO of Tom's fan club, said their parents would be going crazy with joy if they were alive today.

"He did this all on his own," Jane Nides said. "A Jewish expression is having chutzpah — which means 'guts.' That's Thomas. He was never afraid to ask, and he typically got."