Obama selects Patterson as new Envoy to Egypt

Patterson would replace Margaret Scobey. Her nomination as his next Ambassador to Egypt came along with several other new appointments.

"The skill and dedication of these individuals will make them valued additions to my administration, and I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years," Obama said.

Patterson holds the rank of Career Ambassador in the Senior Foreign Service and served as US Ambassador to Pakistan from July 2007 to October 2010. Her nomination requires confirmation by the US Senate.

Her other assignments include: Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Deputy Permanent Representative and Acting Permanent Representative at the US Mission to the United Nations, and Deputy Inspector General, US Ambassador to Colombia and US Ambassador to El Salvador.

She is a graduate of Wellesley College and joined the Foreign Service in 1973.