| Joseph LeBaron | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to Qatar | |
| In office July 18, 2008 – July 29, 2011 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Chase Untermeyer |
| Succeeded by | Susan L. Ziadeh |
| United States Ambassador to Mauritania | |
| In office September 1, 2003 – November 22, 2007 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | John W. Limbert |
| Succeeded by | Mark Boulware |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1947 |
| Spouse(s) | Elinor R. Drake LeBaron |
| Children | Petra Drake LeBaron |
| Profession | Diplomat |
Joseph Evan LeBaron is the previous United States Ambassador to Qatar (July 18, 2008-July 29 2011) and former United States Ambassador to Mauritania (September 1, 2003– November 22, 2007). He was sworn in as Ambassador to Qatar on July 18, 2008, in a ceremony at the Simon Benson House of Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. PSU Interim President Michael J. Reardon presided over the ceremony, and the oath of office was administered by Paul J. DeMuniz, the Chief Justice of Oregon's Supreme Court. LeBaron can speak Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and French.[1][2]
The event is believed to be the first time a career diplomat of the U.S. Foreign Service has been sworn in as ambassador in a public ceremony in the United States but outside Washington, D.C.
LeBaron served in the United States Air Force.[3] He joined the United States Foreign Service in 1980. Later, he was the ambassador to Mauritania from 2003 to 2006.[4]
LeBaron received a BS in Sociology from Portland State University,[4] and a PHD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University.[4][5]
From 2001-2003, he served as a faculty member at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.[1]
He is married to Elinor R. Drake LeBaron and has one daughter, Petra Drake LeBaron.[6]
On February 15, 2010, LeBaron, as United States Ambassador to Qatar, was in a diplomatic row with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey) Fuat Tanlay, the Turkish foreign policy Ambassador, the row was a dispute about the length and importance of the meeting.[7]
Ambassador Joseph LeBaron departed Qatar July 29th, 2011 at the end of his assignment. Incoming Ambassador Susan L. Ziadeh was confirmed by the U.S. Senate June 30th, 2011.
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Chase Untermeyer |
United States Ambassador to Qatar 2008-2011 |
Succeeded by Susan L. Ziadeh |