Preston Wells Griffith III

At a glance

Preston Wells Griffith III brings documented Energy Department, National Security Council and development-finance experience to multilateral diplomacy in Vienna. His 2026 Senate statement addresses nuclear safeguards and international technical agencies, and a later government-published speech documents diplomatic work at the IAEA.

Summary sources: [1] [2] [3]

Career and documented accomplishments

• His 2025 Senate account records Energy international-affairs leadership and White House service as senior director for Energy and Environment at the National Security Council. [2]
• The 2026 nomination statement describes senior work at Energy, the National Security Council, the Development Finance Corporation and State. [1]
• A UK government-published transcript identifies Griffith delivering a September 9, 2026 IAEA Board statement for France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States on Iran safeguards. [3]
• In his April 2025 testimony, Griffith describes work in the Energy secretary's office and subsequent service as principal deputy assistant secretary for International Affairs. [2]
• He reports White House service as special assistant to the president and senior director for Energy and Environment at the National Security Council. [2]
• His account identifies later public-service work at the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, linking energy and national-security experience with international investment. [2]

Role and nomination context

• The Vienna nomination covers U.S. representation to both the Vienna Office of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. His statement describes safeguards, peaceful nuclear use and technical-agency accountability as intended priorities. [1]
• The Energy Committee's February 25, 2026 hearing lists Kyle Haustveit for under secretary, replacing Preston Griffith, identified as resigned. The historical nomination should not be used to infer ongoing Energy service. [4]

Sources and review date

Career and role sources reviewed Oct 14, 2026. These sources may describe developments beyond the nomination snapshot; each nomination entry retains its recorded date and outcome.

1. Preston Wells Griffith III prepared testimony, April 16, 2026 (PDF)

   U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.

2. Griffith and Gil nominations hearing transcript, April 10, 2025

   U.S. Government Publishing Office for the Senate Energy Committee. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.

3. Joint IAEA safeguards statement delivered September 9, 2026

   UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.

4. Energy Committee successor nomination hearing, February 25, 2026

   U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.