George Edward Glass

George Edward Glass (born August 27, 1960) is an American businessman and diplomat. He currently serves as the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Portugal.

George Edward Glass
United States Ambassador to Portugal
Assumed office
August 30, 2017
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byRobert A. Sherman
Personal details
Born (1960-08-27) August 27, 1960
Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Spouse(s)Mary Glass
Children3
EducationUniversity of Oregon
OccupationBusinessman

Early life

George Glass was born in Eugene, Oregon and attended South Eugene High School.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon[1][2] Glass served as Alumni President at the University of Oregon.

Business Career

George Glass was the Founder, President, and Vice Chairman of Pacific Crest Securities, from 1990 to 2014. After Pacific Crest Securities was purchased by Key Bank, he founded the real estate development firm MGG Development LCC.  Glass has also served as a trustee for the Oregon Health Sciences University and for the University of Oregon.

Credential Presentation to the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Ambassador to Portugal

In 2017, George Glass was nominated by President Donald Trump[3] to become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Portugal. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination[4] on August 3, 2017[5]. He presented to credentials to the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, on August 25, 2017[6].

Ambassador Glass with Secretary Pompeo

During his tenure as Ambassador, Glass has sought to increase economic activity between the United States and Portugal[7], including on agricultural and energy issues. He has also been vocal in warning about Chinese investments in strategic sectors in Portugal. He has raised concerns over a proposed takeover by China Three Gorges of the Portuguese energy company EDP[8]. He has also been outspoken about U.S. concerns about the role Huawei might play in future 5G networks in Portugal and elsewhere[9]. In March 2020, he wrote an op-ed about disinformation and the COVID19 epidemic[10].  

Glass and his wife, Mary, have also been active in supporting Portuguese communities recovering from wildfires and in reforestation. In October 2017, George and Mary visited communities affected by wildfires from that year in the district of Viseu.  In October of 2019, they founded the U.S-Portugal Friendship Forest near Leiria[11] and hosted the signing of a sister-park initiative between North Cascades National Park and the Portuguese National Park of Peneda-Geres[12].

In September 2019, Glass had named the Ambassador’s Residence in Lisbon after former Ambassador and Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci, who served as Ambassador to Portugal from 1975 to 1978[13].  

On November 14, 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo presented Glass with the Sue Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service[14].

Personal life

Glass is a registered Republican. He is married to Mary Ferguson Glass and has three adult sons. He and his wife are practicing Catholics.

Awards

2004:  University of Oregon Outstanding Young Alumni Award

2018:  New York Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States (NYPALC) Presidential Award for Distinguished Service

2019:  The U.S. State Department Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service.  The honor is awarded annually to the individual selected from worldwide nominations as the most outstanding non-career United States Ambassador who has used private sector leadership and management skills to make a significant impact on bilateral or multilateral relations and has done so in a manner that best reflects the foreign service culture of uncommon commitment in carrying out United States foreign policy through proactive diplomacy. 

2019:  Portuguese Minister of the Sea Blue Tech Pioneer Award  

2019: Knighted, Cancelario, the Confraria do Vinho do Porto

References
  1. "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts". The White House. June 19, 2017. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. "Named: George E. Glass as U.S. Ambassador to Portugal – Washington, DC". Portuguese American Journal. June 27, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  3. "Trump selects Oregon businessman to be Ambassador to Portugal". Público Online. June 20, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  4. Dallison, Phil (August 3, 2017). "U.S. Senate confirms Trump's Ambassador pick to Portugal". Politico. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  5. "PN676 — George Edward Glass — Department of State". U.S. Congress. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  6. "George Glass: Trump's nominee as Ambassador, arrives to Portugal. Now what?". Jornal i. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  7. "Talkdesk awarded for promoting good relations between Portugal & the U.S.". B!T Magazine. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  8. "U.S. Ambassador is 'absolutely' against Chinese's' OPA to EDP". Público. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  9. "5G agreement between Portugal and Huawei may affect it's relationship with U.S." Observador. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  10. "We must unite to combat this sickness – and the lies as well". Publico. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  11. "U.S. Embassy reforestation efforts, 10 thousand trees to be planted in Pinhal de Leiria". Público. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  12. "America helps in the preservation of some species in the Portuguese National Park of Peneda-Geres". O Minho. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  13. "Carlucci, is the name of the U.S. Ambassador's official residence in Lapa". Público. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  14. "New York Portuguese". November 14, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Robert A. Sherman		 United States Ambassador to Portugal
2017–present		 Incumbent
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