Adam M. Scheinman is an American government official who served as the Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation within the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at the U.S. Department of State. He held this position under two administrations: from September 2014 to January 2017 under President Barack Obama, and from December 20, 2021, to January 20, 2025, under President Joe Biden.
Early Life and Education
Scheinman earned a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1987 and a Master's degree from the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs in 1990.
Career
Scheinman is a career member of the Senior Executive Service. From 1999 to 2009, he held multiple positions within the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), including roles in the Office of Nonproliferation and International Security, the Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, and Nonproliferation and National Security. From 1995 to 1999, he served as a Foreign Affairs Analyst in the Office of International Policy and Analysis Division at the Department of Energy. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Policy Analyst at the Lawyers Alliance for World Security (1994–1995) and Program Coordinator at the Washington Council on Non-Proliferation (1990–1994).
From 2009 to 2013, Scheinman served as Director for Nonproliferation on the White House National Security Staff, where he oversaw all aspects of U.S. multilateral nuclear policy. Between his two tenures as Special Representative, he served as a Professor of Practice and the Department of Energy Faculty Chair at the National War College (2017–2021).
Obama Administration Nomination
President Obama nominated Scheinman on July 18, 2013, for the position of Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, with the rank of Ambassador. After Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings and favorable reporting, his nomination was returned to the President on January 3, 2014, without a full Senate vote. He was renominated the following day, and the Senate confirmed him by voice vote on September 18, 2014.
Biden Administration Nomination
President Joe Biden nominated Scheinman on April 27, 2021, for the same position. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held hearings on September 15, 2021, and favorably reported the nomination on October 19, 2021. The full Senate confirmed him by voice vote on December 18, 2021, and he began his term on December 20, 2021. He served until January 20, 2025.
Personal Life
Scheinman is married and has three children.
