Former Ridley councilman and area health exec is Trump's pick for envoy to Norway

Kenneth J. Braithwaite, a Philadelphia area health industry executive, former Republican Ridley Park councilman and a retired Navy rear admiral, is under consideration to become the U.S. ambassador to Norway.

President Trump last week announced his intent to nominate Braithwaite to the post.

Braithwaite,  a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve, currently serves as an executive for Vizient, a health care strategy and performance improvement company. He completed his military service in 2011, after serving as a Ridley councilman in the 1990s.

Braithwaite also has served as executive director for the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council and was health adviser to the late Sen. Arlen Specter. Braithwaite, a Navy aviator, received his bachelor's degree from the Naval Academy and a masters in governmental adminstration from the University of Pennsylvania.