BIOGRAPHY M. Teel Bivins Ambassador, Sweden Term of Appointment: 05/26/2004 to 02/05/2006

M. Teel Bivins was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden on May 26, 2004.

Ambassador Bivins served in the Texas Senate from 1989 to 2004. He most recently served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and held positions on the International Relations and Trade Committee and the Government Organization Committee. He was also a member of the Legislative Budget Board.

Previously, Ambassador Bivins served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, chairman of the Nominations Committee, and as chairman of the Subcommittee of Agriculture. His legislative service also includes past service as a member of the Natural Resources, Criminal Justice, Border Affairs, Jurisprudence and Electric Utility Restructuring Committees. In 1999, Ambassador Bivins served as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate.

Texas Monthly named Ambassador Bivins one of the "Ten Best Legislators" twice, in 1999 and 2003. Following the 1999 Legislative Session, The Dallas Morning News recognized Ambassador Bivins as one of the most influential lawmakers in Austin.

A life-long resident of Amarillo, Texas, Ambassador Bivins graduated from Colorado Academy in 1966. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University in 1970 and JD degree from Southern Methodist University in 1974. From 1974 to present he has been self-employed in the cattle business and oil and gas business in Amarillo, Texas. He continues his family's four-generation involvement in ranching and is also active in oil and gas exploration.

Ambassador Bivins is married and is the father of four.