On January 6, 2010, Mr. W E. Kennard began his new role as US Ambassador to the EU by presenting his credentials to José Manuel Barroso in Brussels.

Ambassador William E.Kennard has been recently appointed as the new Ambassador for the United States to the European Union. Before this role Ambassador Kennard was a global partner and managing director for The Carlyle Group since 2001, where he specialized in investments in telecommunications and media.

Prior to this, he was Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (November 1997-January 2001), where he was a prominent figure with regards to getting the internet in to the majority of American homes, schools, low-income communities and people with disabilities, resulting in billions of dollars of investment in broadband technologies. He also signed the first partnership agreements between the Federal Communications Commission and ten countries, spanning four continents, to share US regulatory experience with emerging regulatory authorities.

Honors that Ambassador Kennard has received include the award for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Easter Seals Foundation and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, along with honorary degrees from Howard University, Gallaudet University and Long Island University. He also sits on the board of a range of organizations, including The New York Times Company, several companies owned by The Carlyle Group and a number of nonprofit organizations.

Ambassador Kennard is also an Honorary Director of AmCham Belgium.