On Thursday, 14 November the United States Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment of James “Wally” Brewster, Jr. to be the ambassador to the Dominican Republic.
Brewster is a senior managing partner for SB&K Global, a in Chicago, a strategy consulting firm specializing in consumer dynamics, global retail strategy, marketplace positioning and brand expansion. He is an expert in real estate and shopping mall marketing, two areas that are very important to the Dominican Republic.
As reported in the Chicago Sun Times, Brewster has a home in the Dominican Republic and has been visiting frequently in recent years. DR1 has learned that his home is in the Juan Dolio beach and golf area.
Brewster was appointed in June, but the Senate confirmation was delayed. Locally, influential religious figures, including Cardinal Nicolas Lopez Rodriguez, spoke out against the appointment. They opposed the US decision to send a former national LGBT co-chair for the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In recent months, the Church’s influence for speaking about people’s morals has been weakened following major pedophile scandals, including the removal of the former papal nuncio in the Dominican Republic. Recently the Cardinal himself announced he was due for retirement along with several other aging priests.
At the time of the religious opposition to the nomination, Embassy spokesman Daniel Foote said that Brewster was nominated because of his ideas about democracy and that when he arrives, “Brewster arrives as an ambassador, he’s not coming here as an activist for the gay community.”
Illinois senator, Dick Durbin said in a statement: “In a meeting in my office after his nomination, Wally reminded me that he has been visiting the Dominican Republic for many years, often spending extended periods of time there. His understanding of and appreciation for the country and its people were evident. I know that his unique understanding of the Dominican Republic, of our shared interests, and of our future as partners in trade and in security will help to strengthen the ties of our two nations,” Durbin said.
http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/pr-130625.html
http://voices.suntimes.com/early-and-often/sweet/chicagos-wally-brewster-confirmed-as-new-ambassador-to-dominican-republic/