Talat M. Othman

Talat M. Othman (born April 27, 1936, in Beitunia, Palestine) is a Palestinian-American businessman, investor, and Republican fundraiser.

Othman is the president of Grove Financial, Inc. He is the founding president of the Arab-American Business and Professional Association. In 1973, he founded the Midwest Chapter of the Forex Association of North America. He serves as senior advisor of McKinley Reserve.

On July 31, 2000, he opened the Republican National Convention session with a dua'a, or Muslim benediction, marking the first time a Muslim had addressed a major US political gathering. Illinois governor Jim Edgar proclaimed Nov 1, 1997 Haj Talat M. Othman day in Illinois.

In 2006, Othman received an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters from the Catholic Theological Union.

In 1947, Othman emigrated to the United States with his family. From 1956 to 1977, Othman served as an executive in the International Banking Department at Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago, Illinois, as vice president and division administrator of the International Money Management Division, including the International Economic Research Unit.

From 1978 to 1983, Othman was general manager and chief executive officer of the Saudi Arab Finance Corporation, Luxembourg, and general manager of the Saudi Investment Group, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. From 1983 to 1995, he served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dearborn Financial Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois.

In 1987, Othman joined the board of Harken Energy to represent the interests of Abdullah Taha Bakhsh. Served as chair of the three member Audit Committee of which George W. Bush was a member.

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