Best Known As: Political Figure

Gist:  W. Robert Pearson (born 1943- ) is a former Foreign Service Officer who served as United States Ambassador to Turkey (2000?2003) and later as Director of Human Resources in the Foreign Service until his retirement in 2006.

W. Robert Pearson became the fourth President of IREX in November 2008

Ambassador Pearson is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister. He has a broad background in European and security issues as well as wide management experience overseas and in Washington, D.C.

He was the United States Ambassador to Turkey in Ankara from September 21, 2000 through July 2003. He managed U.S. interests in Turkey through two severe domestic economic crises, a general election, the war in Afghanistan, and the liberation of Iraq.

Ambassador Pearson was Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy to France from July 1997 to July 2000. He closely followed the evolution of the European Union, and defense and security issues within the Atlantic Alliance and the EU. He actively promoted business ties between France and the U.S. and helped in the opening of five new American offices in France?s regions.

He served twice at NATO, from 1993 to 1997 as Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.S. Mission during the Balkan crisis and NATO?s enlargement, and from 1987 to 1990 on the international staff as chair of NATO?s Political Committee.

From 1991 to 1993, he was the Executive Secretary of the Department of State.

He served as Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (1985?1987).

He served in Beijing, China as a political officer (1981?1983), was staff assistant in the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau, and began his Foreign Service career with a 2-year assignment in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ambassador Pearson served in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General?s Corps from 1969 to 1973.