Craig Roberts Stapleton
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Craig Roberts Stapleton is the current United States ambassador to France. [1]
This is Stapleton's second ambassadorship, as he had been ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2001 to 2004. From 1989 to 1998 Stapleton co-owned the Texas Rangers baseball team with President George W. Bush.[1]
In 2004, he was the Connecticut State Chairman for the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign. Under former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, Stapleton was on the Board of the Peace Corps. He was on the board of directors for several companies including Allegheny Properties, Metro PCS, TB Woods and Winston Partners.[1]
He served as President of Marsh and McLennan Real Estate Advisors of New York from 1982 until 2001.
Stapleton was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his secondary school education at Phillips Exeter Academy and a B.A. (magna cum laude) from Harvard University. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.[1]
Stapleton speaks neither French nor Czech fluently. On a recent interview with France 24, Stapleton stated that he had been learning French since his appointment. President Bush has already taken criticism for rewarding large contributors to his campaign with appointments as ambassadors. [2][3][4][5][6] They allege that his ambassador nominations are based more on his personal connections with the Bush family than actual international diplomacy competence and experience.
Stapleton is married with a home in Greenwich, Connecticut and has two adult children. His wife, Dorothy Walker Stapleton, is a first cousin of George H.W. Bush.
Stapleton made an appearance on the Food Network show, The Next Iron Chef in 2007. The final three chefs remaining in the competition each prepared a three-course American-themed dinner for the ambassador and 20 guests. The competition took place in the ambassador's official residence.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Ambassador Craig Roberts Stapleton. United States Department of State. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ Ihttp://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2004/07/foreign_exchange.html
- ^ Daily Press Briefing for November 21 - Transcript | US State Department Press Releases | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ Ihttp://www.dailypress.com/topic/am-vowell0307,0,4921656.story
- ^ USATODAY.com - A diplomat gets by without savoir-faire
- ^ Violette's Page... Patriotically Incorrect since 1999
- ^ "Lead and Inspire". The Next Iron Chef. 2007-11-04. No. 5, season 1.
| Preceded by John Shattuck |
U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic 2001–2004 |
Succeeded by William J. Cabaniss |
| Preceded by Howard H. Leach |
U.S. Ambassador to France 2005–present |
Succeeded by Current Incumbent |
