A dedicated public servant and successful businessman, Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser has served his country, state, and community for much of his adult life.

In 2001 Weiser was appointed by President Bush as Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. While at post Ambassador Weiser officially visited all 138 Slovak cities. In addition to his diplomatic responsibilities he worked with the Embassy to organize three international investment conferences attended by investors representing hundreds of companies. In 2004, for his work in furthering the Slovak economic and political relationship with the United States, he received from Slovak President Rudolph Schuster the highest award given to non-Slovaks - The White Double Cross. Also in 2004 he received the Cultural Pluralism Award from the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad for his work in the restoration of the Jewish cemetery in Zakopane, Poland, and one of Slovakia’s most cherished historical sites, the medieval Trencin Castle. The University of Michigan Business School honored him in 2005 as the Outstanding Alumni with the David D. Alger Award, and in 2007 named him the Zell-Lurie Institute Entrepreneur of the Year. In April 2005 he delivered the commencement address to the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Ambassador Weiser was honored with the “Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service” in 2007. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, part of the Smithsonian, created this award to recognize individuals who “have served with distinction in public life and have shown a special commitment to seeking out informed opinions and thoughtful views”.

Before becoming a U.S. Ambassador, Weiser served as Vice-Chair of the Michigan State Officer's Compensation Commission, and on the Board of Directors of numerous non-profit organizations including the University of Michigan President's Advisory Board and the University’s Ross School of Business National Development Board. He has chaired or co-chaired the National Board of the Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning at the University of Michigan, the United Negro College Fund of Washtenaw County, the Michigan Theater, Artrain USA, and was Treasurer and Finance Chair of The Henry Ford. Together with his wife, Eileen, Ambassador Weiser in 1984 created the McKinley Foundation, a public community foundation. He currently serves as a Trustee or Director of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Henry Ford Museum; and the Detroit Institute of the Arts where he also serves on its Executive and Investment Committees. He is also a member of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Zell/Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board and the Athletic Director’s Cabinet.

Ambassador Weiser founded McKinley Associates Inc., a national real estate investment company, in 1968 and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 2001. McKinley and its property management subsidiary own or manage real estate valued in excess of $1.5 billion. McKinley also invests in and manages investments in oil and gas, venture capital, international equity as well as stocks and bonds. McKinley’s national headquarters is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and it has properties located in nine states.

Ambassador Weiser has chaired numerous political and judicial campaigns including four Michigan Supreme Court races and was Chairman of Team Michigan from 1997-2000. He served as the Michigan Finance Chair of Bush for President in 1999 and 2000 and as a member of the National Executive Committee of Victory 2000. He served during 2005-06 as the Michigan Republican State Finance Chair and is a National Co-Chair for Senator John McCain.

He was born in South Bend, Indiana on July 7, 1945 and graduated with honors in 1966 from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He also did post-graduate work at the University’s Business and Law Schools. He and his wife, Eileen, married in 1983 and have a son, Daniel, born October 1, 2000. The Weisers also have two married children and five grandchildren.