Untermeyer Named Ambassador to Qatar

President George W. Bush has appointed Chase Untermeyer, vice president for government affairs and professor of public policy at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, as U.S. ambassador to Qatar.

Chase Untermeyer

“It’s a great honor to represent the United States and President Bush,” Untermeyer said.

Qatar is a nation of about 800,000 people bounded by Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. Qatar hosts the forward headquarters for the unified U.S. military command responsible for the Middle East.

“We are very grateful to Chase Untermeyer for his contributions to the UT Health Science Center at Houston, and we bask in the glow of the President’s selection of Chase for this important diplomatic role,” said James T. Willerson, M.D., health science center president. “This is a proud moment for the UT family.”

Untermeyer joined the health science center in February 2002 from Compaq Computer Corporation, where he was director of government affairs.

His career highlights include serving as director of presidential personnel for President George H. W. Bush. He served as assistant to the president through August 1991, when he became director of the Voice of America, the overseas broadcasting arm of the U.S. Government.

Untermeyer also was assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs during the Reagan Administration.

He is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, serving from 1977-81, and served on the Texas State Board of Education from 1999-2003.

“Chase Untermeyer is a dedicated leader and public servant who has devoted much of his life to serving his country,” Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told the Associated Press. “He has developed strong relationships within the administration and will be a valuable friend and ally as President Bush’s ambassador to Qatar.”

President Bush made the appointment Aug. 2 during a Congressional recess. The appointment remains in effect through the congressional session ending in fall 2005, the White House said. Untermeyer is taking a leave of absence from the health science center.

— By Scott Merville, Public Affairs