Richard William Graber (born 1956)[1] is an American lawyer from Wisconsin and Republican politician who served as United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2006 to 2009.

Richard Graber
United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic
In office
October 12, 2006 – January 20, 2009
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byWilliam J. Cabaniss
Succeeded byMary Thompson-Jones
Chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party
In office
1999–2006
Preceded byDavid W. Opitz
Succeeded byReince Priebus
Personal details
Born
Richard William Graber

1956 (age 67–68)
Political partyRepublican
Children2
EducationDuke University (BA)
Boston University (JD)

Graber spent 20 years as a partner at the law firm of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, eventually becoming the firm's CEO. In 2010, he joined Honeywell as vice president of global relations. In 2016, Graber became president and CEO of the Bradley Foundation.[2]

Early life and career

edit

Graber received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University in 1978 and a Juris Doctor degree from the Boston University School of Law in 1981.[3] He practiced law at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, a large Wisconsin law firm, from 1981 to 2006; and returned to that firm after leaving his ambassadorial post. He has served on the board of trustees of the Medical College of Wisconsin and is former vice chairman and director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.[4]

Political career

edit

In 1990, Graber ran for the Wisconsin State Assembly in a special election for the 10th district, but lost to Alberta Darling in the Republican primary election. Graber was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin in June 1999. He was re-elected in 2001, 2003 and 2005 and was one of the longest serving State Chairmen in the country.[5] He served as Chairman of the Wisconsin Delegation at the 2004 national convention in New York, was a delegate at the 2000 convention and was an alternate at the 1992 and 1996 conventions. From 2002 to 2006, Graber served as Wisconsin's representative on the Republican National Committee's Rules Committee. He also served as Finance Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin from 1993 to 1999 and as Secretary from 1991 to 1999.[4]

He was appointed by George W. Bush as the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic on September 14, 2006.[6] His office ended as Barack Obama became the new President of the United States on January 20, 2009. After two years, Norman L. Eisen was appointed as his successor.[citation needed]

References

edit
  1. ^ Richard W. Graber (1956–)
  2. ^ Bice, Daniel; Glauber, Bill (June 23, 2016). "GOP insider Rick Graber to lead Bradley Foundation". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  3. ^ Boston University School of Law: Announcement of Graber’s nomination. Dated July 20, 2006.
  4. ^ a b U.S. Dept. of State: Biography of Richard W. Graber. Dated September 25, 2006.
  5. ^ "Richard W. Graber". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  6. ^ Presidential Nomination: Richard William Graber
edit
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party
1999–2006
Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic
2006–2009
Succeeded by