Pacific Council member Ambassador John B. Emerson, U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, recently received the U.S. State Department's 2015 Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service.

This prestigious award recognizes a Senate-confirmed non-career ambassador who has used private sector leadership and management skills to make a "significant impact" on bilateral or multilateral relations. Awardees follow the Foreign Service tradition of "uncommon commitment to advancing U.S. foreign policy through proactive diplomacy."

Conferred with a certificate signed by Secretary of State John Kerry, the award provides $10,000 to be shared equally by the winning nominee's post and the Foreign Service Institute. 

This year, the State Department's Selection Committee highlighted "Ambassador Emerson's outstanding contributions to U.S.-German relations and his tireless work and innovation in the promotion of enhanced trade and prosperity through the Transaction Trade and Investment Partnership."

Ambassador John B. Emerson, confirmed by the United States Senate as Ambassador to Germany on August 1, 2013, has led a distinguished career in both public service and the private sector. Prior to taking up his post in Berlin, he was President of Capital Group Private Client Services from 1997 to 2013. He previously served on President Clinton’s senior staff from 1993 to 1997. In 2010, President Obama appointed Ambassador Emerson to serve on the President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Read more about Ambassador Emerson.

The Ambassador has been a member of the Pacific Council since 1998. We are thrilled to congratulate him on this recognition!