About Speaker

Ambassador Charles Larson, Jr. specializes in promoting international business and trade, as well as assisting clients with the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. federal government. Chuck’s work as an ambassador to Latvia allowed him to see the importance of trade and foreign investment for American industry. He represents several American agriculture and technology companies with a presence in China and other Eastern Asian countries. He also regularly hosts Chinese delegations in the U.S. In 2007, President George W. Bush nominated Chuck to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Latvia. After confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Chuck was sworn in by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Jan. 7, 2008. Through his appointment, Chuck gained a unique perspective on the fast-growing U.S-China-E.U. relations and has been devoting himself to better understanding and contributing to the relationship. Chuck remains active in Republican presidential politics. Because of Iowa’s is the first state in the nation to start the selection process of presidential candidates, he worked closely with President George W. Bush and his team on the 2000 and 2004 re-election, as well as serving on U.S. Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential kitchen cabinet. Prior to his ambassador appointment, Chuck was elected to the Iowa Legislature where he served as a state senator from 2003 to 2007 and as a state representative 1993 to 2002. While a member of the Iowa House of Representatives, Chuck chaired the House Economic Development Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. Chuck was also chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa from 2001 to 2005. Chuck also served as a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, including for a year in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat and the Combat Action Badge. Chuck is a 1992 graduate of the University of Iowa, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He graduated with honors and distinction and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honors society. He received his Juris Doctorate degree with distinction in 1996 from the University of Iowa College of Law. In 2009, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers awarded Ambassador Larson the Order of the Three Stars, Latvia’s highest award for his service to the country.