Matthew Bryza is likely to leave for Azerbaijan as a U.S. Ambassador later this month.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced recess appointments, which include Matt Bryza (to Azerbaijan) and Frank Ricciardone (to Turkey), Assistant Secretary Philip Crowley told a briefing on January 3.

Matthew J. Bryza is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. He currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs. He previously served as the Director for Europe and Eurasia at the National Security Council in the White House. He was also Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State on Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy. Matthew Bryza has also served in Russia and Poland.

Mr. Bryza received a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.A. in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.