Michael Retzer
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Michael Retzer | |
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| Born | Michael Lynn Retzer 1946 |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | Michael Retzer Jr. |
Michael Lynn Retzer is an American Republican politician who was United States Ambassador to Tanzania from 2005–2007.
Early life
Retzer was born in Bethesda, Maryland in 1946, to Karl and Betty Retzer, he has one brother, Bill Retzer. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Oregon’s Honors College in 1968. There, he followed the footsteps of his father into the United States Air Force. [1]
Before Becoming Ambassador
Retzer served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force where he was decorated with the Meritorious Service Award and commendation medal. With his son he has developed a restaurant chain that has grown to 42 locations in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, which employs over 2,600 people. He has served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Planters Bank of Mississippi.
Since 1978, Retzer has been elected multiple times as Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party. In 2004, he was elected Treasurer of the Republic National Convention in New York City. He was elected National Committeeman for Mississippi in 2001 and Treasurer of the National Republican Party in 2002.
US Ambassador to Tanzania
Retzer was named as Ambassador to Tanzania by President George W. Bush on June 28, 2005, and the Senate confirmed him on July 29, 2005. Retzer was sworn in by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as United States Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania on August 24, 2005, and presented his credentials to President Benjamin Mkapa in Dar es Salaam on September 1, 2005.
While in Tanzania, Retzer was an important part of the program to end corruption in its government. The agreement between the United States and Tanzania gave the country the ability to improve the way civil society monitors the government’s progress in getting rid of corruption. It also strengthened the rule of law so corruption cases could finally be tried in court, established a financial intelligence unit to help discover any financial crimes within the government and increase transparency across the board.[2]
Dispute with Peace Corps
In February 2007, Retzer informed The White House personel of his intention to return home September 1, 2007. On June 8, 2007 the White House announced that Retzer would be replaced as Ambassador to Tanzania by Mark Green, 47, a former Republican congressman and unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin. On June 14, 2007, the Peace Corps announced its strong disagreement with the decision of Retzer, to withdraw the authorization for Peace Corps Country Director Christine Djondo to remain in Tanzania and the adverse effects of Retzer's decision on the Peace Corps program in Tanzania including cutting the incoming group of volunteers by half to ensure adequate support. On June 27 Senator Chris Dodd put a hold on the nomination of Mark Green to replace Retzer as Ambassador citing Retzer's action as interference in the independence of the Peace Corps.[3] Dodd asked that Retzer rescind his cable of no confidence of Djondo or that the State Department provide a written apology to her.[3] On June 28, after he announced that he had received an apology from the State Department Senator Dodd released his hold on Green's nomination allowing it to go forward.[4]
Service in Civic Organizations
In his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi, he has contributed to community growth by serving in many civic organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Foundation, and the South Delta Planning Council and Rotary Club. He was also a founding member of Delta Wildlife Foundation and the Mississippi Wildlife Foundation. He has also served as a trustee of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C..
Retzer Resources, Inc.
Outside of his political career, Retzer is the head of Retzer Resources, Inc. He founded the company in 1973. One of his McDonald’s franchises in Pine Bluff, Arkansas features the only remaining single-arch sign in Arkansas. It was approved and accepted by the United States National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[5]
Personal life
Retzer has one son, Michael Retzer Jr. and one daughter, Kathryn Freeman [1] He regularly supports his Republican party with political donations to multiple campaigns, both on a local and national level. He donated to the George W. Bush campaign and recently donated to campaign for Arkansas state senator John Boozman.
Citations
- ^ a b "Michael Retzer". Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- ^ "Millennium Challenge Corporation and Tanzania Announce $11 Million Threshold Program to Combat Corruption". Millennium Challenge Coorperation. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- ^ a b Green Bay Press Gazette. "Green ambassadorship being held up." June 27, 2007. The link to the original story has expired. An archival link is available on Peace Corps Online.
- ^ Appleton Post Crescent. "State Department apology ends hold on Mark Green's nomination" by Ellyn Ferguson. June 27, 2007. The link to the original story has expired. An archival link is available on Peace Corps Online.
- ^ "MCDONALD'S STORE #433 SIGN, PINE BLUFF, JEFFERSON COUNTY". Arkansas Historic Prevention Program. Retrieved 25 March 2013.