Ex-Ridley Park pol named ambassador to Norway
President Donald Trump announced that a former Ridley Park councilman is his choice to become ambassador to Norway as Delaware Countians remember Kenneth J. Braithwaite as a good man with strong opinions and a balanced demeanor who was strongly committed to the Navy.
“He’s just a nice guy and he’s extremely intelligent and articulate and he’ll be a great ambassador,” state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, said of the 27-year U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve veteran. “We just became very, very good friends. Ken’s just a rock star – the kind of guy my daughter could marry. He’s a good family man, smart as heck.”
Killion said he met fellow Republican Braithwaite when he was working at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and Killion was working for former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon.
“I was actually one of the people the feds interviewed,” Killion said, adding that he was grilled for two hours on his knowledge of Braithwaite.
Although retired, Braithwaite’s service to the Navy was long standing.
He obtained his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and then his pilot wings as a Naval aviator. He also received a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
While in the Navy, he served as commanding officer, Navy combat xamera deployed in combat operations to Iraq.
He was also deployed to Pakistan as overall director of strategic communications in support of the American Embassy in his position as commanding officer, joint public affairs expeditionary support element (reserve), joint forces command.
In 2011, he finished his military service as the Navy’s chief of information.
Braithwaite currently serves as group senior vice president for Vizient, a health care strategy and performance improvement company, and has previously served as executive director, Delaware Valley Healthcare Council; vice president, government Affairs, Ascension Health; and state director to former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.
Although Braithwaite was from Michigan, for a time he moved to Ridley Park and made it his home. During the 1990s, Braithwaite served as a borough councilman.
Robert Berger, president of Ridley Park Borough Council, where he’s served for a decade, said he didn’t know Braithwaite but was elated with the connection to the Delco town.
“That’s something that’s tremendous for our small community,” Berger said. “It speaks to our residents and the charm of our community. We’re honored and we hope he does a good job.”
Bob McMahon, mayor of Media, anticipated that Braithwaite certainly would perform well.
“I met Ken when he came back from Desert Storm back in the early ‘90s,” he said. “I was working on the Media Veterans Parade in 1993. He was able to get the Naval Academy when he received his star.”
McMahon said Braithwaite served on many committees, particularly for veterans. He also served on the board of the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum.
McMahon described Braithwaite as laid back but serious, even-keeled and strong willed.
“I’ve never seen him get upset at anyone but he takes the military, he takes service very serious,” the mayor said. “If he didn’t agree with something I was doing, he would not hold it back.”
McMahon said of the 20 to 30 people he’s worked closely, Braithwaite was unique.
“Ken was one of – if not – the best,” he said. “First of all, he didn’t go along. He would certainly let you know his opinion – that’s something that’s needed. But, he was always there. He’d go out of his way to try to help.”
They also spent time partaking in a local tradition.
“We went to many Army/Navy games together,” McMahon said, adding that he himself was conflicted with his father having attended the Naval Academy and he an Army veteran. And, it was there that he last saw him with his children the year before last.
Killion said Braithwaite sent him an email when word of the international position arose.
“It’s official,” he wrote, along with an attachment of the press release about the presidential announcement.
In Delaware County, community members were pleased for their adopted son.
“I’m thrilled for him,” McMahon said. “The president could not make a better choice.” Killion was also happy. “I can’t wait to go visit him,” the senator said.