Matthew Barzun
| Matthew Barzun | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom | |
|
In office December 4, 2013 – January 18, 2017 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Louis Susman |
| Succeeded by | Lewis Lukens (Acting) |
| United States Ambassador to Sweden | |
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In office August 21, 2009 – May 28, 2011 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Michael Wood |
| Succeeded by | Mark Brzezinski |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Matthew Winthrop Barzun October 23, 1970 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Brooke Brown (1999–present) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) |
Matthew Winthrop Barzun (born October 23, 1970) is a former United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He is a business executive who is known for his work with CNET Networks and for his volunteer work on Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden from 2009 to 2011. He was selected by President Barack Obama as National Finance Chair for the president's 2012 re-election campaign.
Barzun was born in New York City. He grew up in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and received his A.B. in history and literature magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1993. In his testimony to the Senate during his confirmation vetting, Barzun noted that he had served as a summer intern to Massachusetts Senator John Kerry in 1989. Prior to attending university, he was a student at the elite St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire. After graduating from Harvard College, he began working with CNET Networks.
Barzun's small-dollar fundraisers were supporter-driven via online event pages, and replicated throughout the country.
In The Audacity to Win, author and political strategist David Plouffe describes Matthew Barzun's grassroots campaign idea as "citizen fundraisers" that drove Obama's connection with supporters.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator John Kerry, approved Barzun's nomination as Ambassador to Sweden during the week of August 3, 2009, and the nomination was confirmed on August 7. Barzun was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden on August 12, 2009, and presented his credentials to King Carl XVI Gustaf on August 21, 2009. Barzun prioritized outreach and personal engagement, launching the U.S. Embassy Road Show that brings embassy personnel, resources, and exhibits out of Stockholm to smaller cities and towns. In partnership with the Swedish government, he also created the Swedish American Green Alliance where Swedes and Americans share news and ideas toward a clean energy future.
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Wikipedia