The post of U.S. ambassador had remained vacant since former Ambassador Anne Patterson left the country 16 months ago.

Patterson left Cairo in August of 2013 after spending 26 months as U.S. ambassador to Egypt.

Last June, Beecroft was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

A veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, Beecroft served as U.S. ambassador to Iraq from 2012 to 2014. Prior to his service in Iraq, he served as ambassador to Jordan.

During a senate session last June, Beecroft stressed the need for Egypt to improve its investment climate.

He said the U.S. wanted to see a secure and stable Egypt, adding that the country's security and stability depended on a strong economy and respect for human rights.

He is a recipient of the State Department's Meritorious, Superior and Distinguished Honor Award.

Before joining the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Beecroft practiced law in San Francisco for an international law firm. He holds a B.A. from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.