Michael Retzer
Michael Lynn Retzer was nominated by President George W. Bush on June 28, 2005, and the Senate confirmed him on July 29, 2005. He was sworn in by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as United States Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania on August 24, 2005.
Invested Republican
"Ambassador Retzer has enjoyed an active political career. Since 1978, he has been elected multiple times as Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party. In 2004, he was elected Treasurer of the Republican National Convention in New York City. He was elected National Committeeman for Mississippi in 2001 and Treasurer of the Republican National Committee in 2002." [1]
Additionally, Retzer contributed $25,000 to the Republican National Committee in April 2004, and another $4,000 to the Bush-Cheney '04 Inc. Primary in 2003.
Profiles
According to his official Department of State biography, "Ambassador Retzer's career reflects considerable experience in several fields. He has served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He developed a thriving restaurant chain in 20 locations in Mississippi, which employs over 1,100 people and he has also served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Planters Bank of Mississippi. ...
"In his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi, Ambassador Retzer has contributed to community growth by serving in several civic organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Foundation, and the South Delta Planning Council. He was a founding member of Delta Wildlife Foundation and the Mississippi Wildlife Foundation. He has also served as a trustee of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Retzer received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Honors College at the University of Oregon with a major in Finance and Marketing."
Campaign Contributions
Greenville, Mississippi, Political Contributions by Individuals:
- Michael Retzer (Retzer Resources Inc./Chairman):
- $2,000 to Mississippi Republican Party May 16, 2003; $1,000 on June 6, 2003; $1,000 on February 24, 2003; $5,000 on June 18, 2004 (Total: $10,000).
- Michael Retzer (McDonald's Inc./Franchisee):
- $1,000 to Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC (RFWPAC) on July 14, 2003 (Total: $1,000).
- Michael L. Retzer (Retzer Resources Inc./Owner):
- $25,000 to the Republican National Committee on April 4, 2004.
- Michael L. Retzer (Self-Employed/Restaurant Owner):
- $2,000 to Bush-Cheney '04 Inc. (Primary) on June 6, 2003.
- Michale L. Retzer, Jr. (Self-Employed/Restaurants):
- $2,000 to Bush-Cheney '04 Inc. (Primary) on June 20, 2003.
Michael Retzer was also a Mississippi delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention. [2]
SourceWatch Resources
External links
- Mark Crispin Miller and Jared Irmas, "Team Bush Paid Millions to Nathan Sproul—and Tried to Hide It," Baltimore Chronicle, July 5, 2005. (Bella Ciao Back-up copy.) Nathan Sproul and Sproul and Associates received total payments from the RNC adding up "to a whopping $8,359,161--making it the RNC’s eighth biggest expenditure of the 2004 campaign." Retzer, as RNC Treasurer, made the payments.
- Ani Jozeni, "Is it in business where the US needs Tanzania most?" IPP Media, July 30, 2005.
