Roger F. Nyhus is an American business and civic leader who is serving as the United States ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS.
Early life and education
Nyhus earned his bachelor's degree from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University.[1]
Career
Nyhus is the founder and former CEO of Nyhus Communications, a communications and public affairs firm based in Seattle, Washington, the eighth largest Native American-owned company in the state of Washington.
He has participated in international trade missions to China, Ireland, Cuba, and the United Arab Emirates. Nyhus has also served as a trusted adviser to business, government, and nonprofit leaders worldwide, including CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. During his career, Nyhus served as the Communications Director for Washington Governor Gary Locke, a Senior Advocacy Officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Communications Director for Seattle Mayor Paul Schell. He is an enrolled member of the Chinook Indian Nation, as well as serving on the boards of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Seattle Association.[1]
During the leadup to the 2020 presidential election, Biden made a campaign stop at Nyhus' home in Washington state.[2]
U.S. ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
On September 20, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Nyhus to be the ambassador to Barbados, while also serving as the ambassador to Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.[1][3] His nomination was returned to Biden at the end of the Congress on January 3, 2023, as no action was taken on it.[4]
President Biden renominated Nyhus the same day. Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 4, 2023. The committee favorably reported his nomination on June 1, 2023. On November 15, 2023, the Senate confirmed Nyhus by a voice vote.[5] He presented his credentials to President of Barbados Sandra Mason on January 19, 2024.[6]
U.S. ambassador to St. Lucia
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General Errol Charles on January 31, 2024.[7]
U.S. ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General Sir Rodney Williams on February 2, 2024.[8]
U.S. ambassador to Grenada
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General Cécile La Grenade on February 6, 2024.[9]
U.S. ambassador to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General Susan Dougan on February 9, 2024.[10]
U.S. ambassador to Saint Kitts and Nevis
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General Marcella Liburd on February 14, 2024.[11]
U.S. ambassador to Dominica
Nyhus presented his credentials to President Sylvanie Burton on February 26, 2024.[12]
Awards and recognitions
In February 2023, Washington State University announced Nyhus would be inducted into Murrow College's Hall of Achievement.[13]
References
- ^ a b c "President Biden Announces Key Nominees". The White House. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Brunner, Jim (7 June 2019). "Former VP Joe Biden heads to Seattle this month to raise money for 2020 campaign". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Zavala Magana, Daisy (21 September 2022). "Biden nominates Seattle business, civic leader as U.S. ambassador". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "PN2730 — Roger F. Nyhus — Department of State 117th Congress (2021-2022)". US Congress. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
- ^ "PN58 — Roger F. Nyhus — Department of State 118th Congress (2023-2024)". US Congress. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ @USEmbassyBtown (January 19, 2024). "Congratulations Ambassador Nyhus on presenting your credentials in Barbados today! #USAmbassador #Barbados #EasternCaribbean" (Tweet). Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ @USEmbassyBtown (January 31, 2024). "The credentialling tour for Ambassador Nyhus continues! This time things are made official with a visit to St. Lucia! 🇱🇨 #USAmbassador #StLucia #EasternCaribbean" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @USEmbassyBtown (February 2, 2024). "Ambassador Nyhus is now officially credentialed as US Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda! #USAmbassador #antiguaandbarbuda🇦🇬 #EasternCaribbean" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @USEmbassyBtown (February 6, 2024). "It's official! Roger Nyhus is now US Ambassador to Grenada 🇬🇩 #USAmbassador #Grenada #EasternCaribbean" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @USEmbassyBtown (February 9, 2024). "U.S. Ambassador Roger Nyhus has presented his credentials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines! The credentialing tour continues soon! #USAmbassador #AMBNyhus #StVincentandtheGrenadines #EasternCaribbean" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @USEmbassyBtown (February 14, 2024). "Credentialing continues! Ambassador Nyhus is now officially the U.S. Ambassador to Saint Kitts and Nevis!! 🇺🇸 🇰🇳 #USAmbassador #AMBNyhus #StKittsandNevis #EasternCaribbean" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @USEmbassyBtown (February 27, 2024). "Mission Accomplished! Ambassador Nyhus is now the US Ambassador to the Commonwealth of #Dominica, completing his credentialing tour across the Eastern Caribbean! Keep following to see how the United States is working to address climate change, enhance regional security, and promote economic prosperity for all in the #EasternCaribbean!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Evans, Thomas. "Murrow College announces 2023 Hall of Achievement inductees". WSU Insider. Retrieved 1 August 2023.