President Obama is preparing to nominate his first openly gay ambassador, according to a knowledgeable source.

David Huebner, who serves as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s general counsel, will be nominated to become the administration’s ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. A formal announcement is expected Wednesday evening, reports the Washington Blade.

Huebner, who currently works at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, specializes in handling international arbitration and mediation cases. Formerly a resident of California, Huebner is now based in Shanghai.

Long active in non-profit and community organizations, Huebner has chaired the California Law Revision Commission and served as president of the Los Angeles Quality & Productivity Commission. He’s also guest lectured on international topics at several schools domestically and abroad.

More at the Washington Blade.

Tags: Barack Obama, Politiics

Filed under: Newsmakers