US President Donald Trump has nominated a member of his presidential transition team as Ambassador to Malta, the White House has announced.
Christine Toretti will replace Kathleen Hill, who was only appointed ambassador to Malta in January 2016.
Ms Toretti of Pennsylvania is an accomplished businesswoman, philanthropist and civic leader.
She was a member of Trump's presidential transition team, a group of around 100 aides, policy experts, government affairs officials, and former government officials who were tasked with vetting, interviewing, and recommending individuals for top cabinet and staff roles in Trump's administration. According to Politico, she was the team's Small Business Administration advisor.
Enjoying a great dinner in Madison, WI pic.twitter.com/o0u5EBHmpR
— Christine Toretti (@CToretti) May 30, 2015
She was President and CEO of the S.W. Jack Drilling Company for over two decades. She has served as vice chair of the Rural Telephone Bank, US Department of Agriculture, as a member of the National Petroleum Council, and on the advisory board for the US Secretary of Energy.
Ms Toretti was also a director of the Pittsburgh branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
Ms. Toretti has been Republican National Committeewoman from Pennsylvania since 1997 and founded the Anne Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series and the Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series, to educate, empower and advance women in politics.
She received her B.S. from the University of Virginia.