LUNCHEON: A Conversation with the U.S. Ambassador

Pete Hoekstra became the 26th United States’ Ambassador to Canada on April 29, 2025. Prior to this, he served as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party (MIGOP) during the 2024 elections, where his leadership was considered instrumental in delivering a Republican victory. He is also the President of Hoekstra Global Strategies in Holland, Michigan, and a board member of the Council for a Secure America. He served as Ambassador to the Netherlands during the first Trump Administration.

From 1993 to 2011 Hoekstra served as a Member of Congress representing Michigan’s 2nd District.  He was the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2004 to 2007.  He was a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation and also a Shillman Senior Fellow at the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT).

Earlier in his career, Hoekstra was a Senior Advisor at the law firms Dickstein Shapiro, Washington, D.C. and Greenberg Taurig, Washington, D.C. He was a director of the Gentex Corporation, Zeeland, Michigan and served as a Director of the West Michigan Community Bank in Holland, Michigan. He began his career with furniture maker Herman Miller, rising to vice president of marketing.

Hoekstra received a B.A. from Hope College, Holland, Michigan and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.  He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, the Hope College Distinguished Alumni Award, the Order of the House of Orange from the Netherlands, the Agency Seal Medal from the CIA and the DNI National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal. He and his wife Diane have three adult children and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

 

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