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Donald Tapia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Donald Tapia
United States Ambassador to Jamaica
In office
September 11, 2019 – January 20, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byLuis G. Moreno
Succeeded byN. Nick Perry
Personal details
Born
Donald Ray Tapia

(1938-01-12) January 12, 1938 (age 86)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children2
EducationSaint Leo University (BA, MBA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1955–1959

Donald Ray Tapia (born January 12, 1938) is an American businessman who served as the United States Ambassador to Jamaica from 2019 until 2021.[1][2]

Early life

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Tapia was born on January 12, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised in poverty primarily by his mother after his father left the family.[3] After graduating from high school, Tapia joined the United States Air Forces and served from 1955 to 1959.

Career

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Tapia meets with Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in Kingston, Jamaica on January 22, 2020.

Political Campaign

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Tapia ran as an Independent for Mohave County Supervisor in 1980, while a resident of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He lost in the General Election to incumbent Republican Supervisor Jerry Holt by a wide margin.

Business Career & Philanthropy

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Tapia served as Chairman and CEO of the Essco Group Management, an electrical production company, for over 30 years.[4] Tapia also served on the Board of Directors for the Sun Angel Foundation and Endowment at Arizona State University, the Tau Kappa Epsilon Educational Foundation the Board of Indianapolis, and as Chairman of Board and Trustee at Saint Leo University.[5]

U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica

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U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Tapia to serve as United States Ambassador to Jamaica, succeeding Luis Moreno.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Don Tapia nominated by Donald Trump to be U.S. ambassador to Jamaica". Azcentral.com. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  2. ^ "Ambassador Donald R. Tapia". Jm.usembassy.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  3. ^ "Detroit to Paradise | Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity".
  4. ^ "Donald Tapia: What you should know about Jamaica's newest US Ambassador | Buzz". 8 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Arizona businessman tipped for US ambassador role in Jamaica | Loop Jamaica". Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  6. ^ Landay, Jonathan (28 October 2020). "U.S. Envoy to Jamaica insults Twitter critics – 'you drink that cheap stuff'". Reuters.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Luis G. Moreno
United States Ambassador to Jamaica
2019–2021
Succeeded by