Charles Rivkin
| Charles Rivkin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| United States Ambassador to France and Monaco | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office October 2, 2009 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Craig Roberts Stapleton |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
Charles Hammerman Rivkin (born April 1962) is the current United States Ambassador to France. Selected by President Barack Obama, he was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg following unanimous confirmation by the United States Senate on July 10, 2009.[1][2]
At his Senate confirmation hearing, Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said that Rivkin's "life-long ties to France and to French culture make this a particularly fitting assignment."
Ambassador Rivkin is the youngest Ambassador in nearly 60 years to serve as his country’s senior representative in France. Embassy Paris is America’s first and one of its largest diplomatic missions, which now has seven constituent posts throughout France and represents over 50 federal agencies and departments.[3]
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[edit] Early life, family and education
Rivkin earned a B.A. from Yale University in 1984 where he graduated with distinction in political science and international relations. At Yale he also sang with the famed Whiffenpoofs, America's oldest collegiate a cappella singing group. He then earned an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1988.[4]
He speaks fluent French and spent years as a youth studying, traveling and working in France, including studying in Rennes with School Year Abroad and working as an intern at Renault. Business interests have taken him to Paris or Cannes every year for the past 20 years.[5]
Rivkin's father, William R. Rivkin, was United States Ambassador to Luxembourg under President John F. Kennedy and United States Ambassador to Senegal and Gambia under President Lyndon B. Johnson.[6] His family has presented the "Rivkin Award" at the United States Department of State since 1968 as a way to honor intellectual courage and constructive dissent in the American Foreign Service.[7] The award was created in part with the help of Charles Rivkin's godfather, Hubert H. Humphrey, after the elder Rivkin's death at 47, in 1967.[4]
Rivkin married his wife, Susan Tolson, in 1990.[6] Until becoming U.S. Ambassador to France, Rivkin and Tolson lived in Santa Monica, California. They have two children, Elias and Lily.
[edit] Professional career
Ambassador Rivkin's service in France comes at one of the bilateral relationship's strongest moments in recent history.[8] On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Ambassador Rivkin said that the U.S.-French relationship is as strong as on September 11, 2001, when Le Monde (newspaper) said, "On est tous americains"--"We are all Americans"--"and I think that spirit continues today."[9]
Ambassador Rivkin has made youth outreach one of his key priorities and has connected the embassy to the next generation of leaders throughout France, including in disadvantaged communities often referred to as the banlieues. "Much of the embassy's outreach is meant to dispel 'mistruths' about the United States, Ambassador Rivkin said in an interview, adding, 'It's easier to hate something you don't understand' "[10]
Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Rivkin worked in the media sector for over 20 years where he served as President and CEO of award winning entertainment companies such as The Jim Henson Company, home of the world-renowned "Muppets," and Wildbrain where Rivkin won a BAFTA Award as Executive Producer of the hit TV series "Yo Gabba Gabba."[11] Rivkin helped engineer the sale of The Jim Henson Company to EM.TV in 2000 for nearly $1 billion.[12] His contribution to the television landscape has influenced generations of viewers and helped shape American popular culture.[13]
[edit] Political involvement
Rivkin served as an at-large California delegate for Senator John Kerry at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and for Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[7] Rivkin was the California finance co-chair for President Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. [4]
[edit] References
- ^ http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?position=all&page=S7374&dbname=2009_record
- ^ http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?position=all&page=S7375&dbname=2009_record
- ^ "US Embassy France". 2011-09-12. http://france.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html.
- ^ a b c "New U.S. Envoy Takes Up Post" by Brian Knowlton, The New York Times, Aug. 16, 2009. Retrieved 8/16/09.
- ^ "US Embassy France". 2011-09-12. http://france.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html.
- ^ a b "Ms. Tolson Wed To Charles Rivkin" Aug. 5, 1990, The New York Times.
- ^ a b thecable.foreignpolicy.com announcement
- ^ http://www.euronews.net/2010/01/28/friendship-on-the-menu-and-french-us-dinner/
- ^ "Sarkozy keeps Twin Towers memento from 9/11" by James Keaten, Associated Press, 9/9/11
- ^ "Feeling Slighted by France, and Respected by the U.S." by Scott Sayare, New York Times, 9/23/10
- ^ http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=79&article=46212
- ^ "Henson tab near $1 bil", Variety, 24 February 2000
- ^ "US Embassy France". 2011-09-12. http://france.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Charles Rivkin |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Craig Roberts Stapleton |
United States Ambassador to France 2009–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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