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: Republic of Kenya
CANDIDATE: Kyle McCarter
Kyle McCarter, a prominent Illinois businessman and politician, has been President/Owner of Custom Product Innovations, Inc. in Lebanon, Illinois since 1996. His company specializes in fabricating innovative products for the aerospace & fitness industry. Mr. McCarter has been a State Senator in the Illinois General Assembly in Lebanon, Illinois since 2009. He served as a Field Auditor, Missionary (1984 – 1989) and as the International Director of Each One Feed One International, based in Lebanon, Illinois with an office in Mukothima, Kenya (2013 – present). He volunteered as a Member of Mercy Ministries of America (now Mercy Multiplied) in Fenton, Missouri, serving as President for one year. Mr. McCarter’s management skills, leadership and entrepreneurial acumen, success in public service and knowledge of Kenya and international development make him an excellent candidate for U.S. Ambassador to Kenya.
Prior to founding his second Company, Custom Coating Innovations in 2009, Mr. McCarter was a Board Member, St. Clair County, Belleville, Illinois (2001 – 2009) and a Manufacturer’s Sales Representative, Rubber Plastic & Specialty, Troy, Illinois (1989 – 1998). He was the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce President (2005 – 2007), Chairman of the Economic Development Committee (2004 – 2008) and member (2001 – present).
Mr. McCarter earned a B.S. at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the recipient of the Family PAC – Legislator of the Year Award (2017) a National Citation of Merit from the American Council on Addiction and Alcohol Problems (2016), Legislator of the Year from the Illinois State Crime Commission (2012) and numerous awards from the RCGA St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. He speaks basic Swahili.