REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4)
POST: Czech Republic
CANDIDATE: Stephen B. King
Stephen B. King is a prominent public servant and businessman who successfully acquired, built and sold a specialty chemical manufacturing business and founded a family investment business. Mr. King has been active in the Republican Party in Wisconsin for over three decades and is well regarded for his leadership and experience. Early in his career Mr. King investigated civil rights violations in Jackson, Mississippi for the Federal Bureau Investigation (1966-1969) and then served as an investigator for the U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (1970-1972). He was named Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture serving as liaison between USDA and the Agriculture Committees of the House and Senate (1973-1976). Mr. King’s success in the public and private sectors is a reflection of his strong interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively with diverse partners, and keen understanding of governance and leadership. His skills, extensive experience and wide-ranging contacts make him well qualified to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic.
Mr. King began his career as a Social Science teacher in Rushville, Illinois (1963-1966) and was Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools in the same school district in 1967. Mr. King left Washington, DC in 1976 to become Director of Alumni and Development at his alma mater, Western Illinois University. In 1979, Mr. King entered the business world and led a management buy out of Tomah³ Products, Inc. and ultimately founded and led King Capital, LLC (2006 – present). Mr. King served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin from 1985-1988 and has been the National Committeeman for Wisconsin on the Republican National Committee since 2008.
Mr. King received his Bachelor of Science degree (1963) from Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree from the same university in 1967. Active in the Boy Scouts of America his entire life, Mr. King is recipient of the Silver Buffalo award, BSA’s highest volunteer award for work at the national level.