By Wendy Anders

Late Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in San José, Costa Rica sent out a brief notice that Ambassador Haney will continue in his post.

The news flies in the face of a recent announcement by president-elect Donald Trump that every Obama appointee would be immediately replaced as soon as he took office.

No further details were forthcoming immediately from the Embassy as to why the sudden change of heart, or how long his assignment will be extended.

But we know for certain that Stafford Fitzgerald “Fitz” Haney and his family must be breathing a huge sigh of relief, as they can now stop scrambling to find housing and visas to continue on in what has quickly become a happy home since Haney stepped into the diplomatic role in late June 2015.

“I am very excited to be able to continue our joint work in advancing the bilateral relationship between the United States and Costa Rica,” said the diplomat in a brief press release today.

S. Fitzgerald Haney is a convert of Orthodox Judaism with a background in finance, and prior to taking the post in San José lived in Englewood, New Jersey with his wife Andrea, a rabbi, and their four children – Asher, Nava, Eden and Shaia, said U.S. government sources.

His appointment came after a two-year period with no U.S. ambassador in Costa Rica. Haney was confirmed by the Senate on May 21, 2015.

In his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Haney said that he would work to aid Costa Rica in confronting security challenges. “I will continue to work with the government of Costa Rica to ensure that organized crime does not undermine the country’s economy and democratic institutions,” said Haney.

He also discussed a priority of promoting greater Central American integration and cooperation on trade, infrastructure development, energy integration, and investment.

“The United States can play a constructive role in helping Central America create jobs and economic opportunities for its 43 million people by helping the region improve infrastructure, integrate markets, reduce non-tariff barriers, and benefit more from its free trade agreement,” said Haney to the U.S. Senate.

“I will also work to create strong linkages between the American Chambers of Commerce in Central America, so that the private sector is fully incorporated into the process of seeking solutions to the region’s development challenges,” detailed Haney during his confirmation hearing.

Haney’s background in Latin America includes serving in senior-level marketing, financial services and manufacturing positions across Latin America for companies including Proctor & Gamble, Citibank, and Pepsico. Before being appointment ambassador, he was a director of business development at Pzena Investment Management in New York City.

Mr. Haney was born in Nashville, TN and grew up outside of Chicago, in Naperville, IL.