Yousif B. Ghafari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to Slovenia | |
| In office May 29, 2008 –January 20, 2009 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Thomas Bolling Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Joseph A. Mussomeli |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 27,1952 Alma El-Chaab,Lebanon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Diplomat |
Yousif Boutrous Ghafari (sometimes Youssef B. Ghafari,born September 27,1952 [1] ) is an American businessman of Lebanese birth,owner of architectural firm Ghafari Associates LLC, [2] former United States Ambassador to Slovenia. [3] During the Senate confirmation hearings,then-Senator Barack Obama called Ghafari "an immigrant who has truly lived the American dream." [4]
Born in Alma El-Chaab,Lebanon,"in a home with no electricity,phone or running water," Ghafari moved to the United States in 1972. [5] He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1974,a Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics and Computer Applications in 1975,and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1977,from Wayne State University. [6]
In 2004 and 2005,Ghafari was a public delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. [7]
His alma mater named one of its residence halls in his honor after he donated $9 million to the school. [8] The school gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on May 3,2008. [9] He was notified of the degree the same week the Senate confirmed his ambassadorship. [10]
A significant donor to the Republican party, [11] Ghafari is considered one of "the active,vocal and successful Republican leaders of the Michigan Arab-American community." [12]
On May 25,2008,Ghafari presented his diplomatic credentials to Dimitrij Rupel in Ljubljana. He was received by Slovenian President Danilo Türk on May 29. He climbed Mount Triglav,making him "an honorary Slovenian." [13] On January 20,2009,when Barack Obama was sworn in as U. S. President,Ghafari's term ended.
