| Barry B. White | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to Norway | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office October 21, 2009 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Benson K. Whitney |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Eleanor G. White |
| Children | Three sons |
| Residence | Villa Otium, Oslo |
| Alma mater | Harvard Law School |
| Occupation | Ambassador |
| Profession | Jurist |
| Religion | Jewish |
Barry B. White is the current United States Ambassador to Norway. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 2009 and was sworn in as Ambassador on October 21, 2009. In a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 15, 2009, Ambassador White emphasized the commitment shared by Norway and the U.S. to promoting human rights, democracy, and freedom throughout the world. He said that he looked forward to working to preserve and build upon this invaluable relationship, and to increase economic development opportunities both for U.S. companies in Norway and Norwegian firms in the United States.[1]
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Mr. White holds an A.B. from Harvard College, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, where he was an Editor of the Harvard Law Review.
He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Public Health Service and served from 1967 to 1969 in the legislative liaison office in the Office of the Surgeon General at the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Barry White served for over 13 years as Chairman and Managing Partner (CEO) of Foley Hoag LLP, where he was a senior partner in the firm’s business, corporate, international and government strategies practice areas. He practised law at Foley Hoag for 40 years. Mr. White also served as Chair of Lex Mundi, the world’s largest international association of independent law firms, and co-founded the "Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation", to provide pro bono legal advice to social entrepreneurs around the world.
Barry White has been deeply involved in community services, and served as Secretary, General Counsel and Member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and as a Director of the Massachusetts Alliance for International Business. He was active with many organizations and boards, including the American Bar Association, as a member of the Business and International Sections; Edgewater Technology; the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City; the Boston Municipal Research Bureau; the Northeastern University School of Social Science, Public Policy and Urban Affairs; the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health; the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine; and several others.
Barry White is married to Eleanor G. White, an affordable housing expert. They have three sons and one granddaughter. In 2005, he and his wife were awarded the American Jewish Committee of New England’s Award for Community Service.
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Benson K. Whitney |
U.S. Ambassador to Norway 2009–present |
Succeeded by — |