Edward L. Romero (also Romæro, born January 2, 1934) is an American entrepreneur, activist and former diplomat. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra between the years of 1998 and 2001 and has engaged in various environmental and social causes, winning recognition from organizations in both the U.S. and Spain.[1]
Biography
Early years
Edward L. Romero was born on January 2, 1934 [1] in Alamosa, Colorado after his family moved there from Albuquerque, New Mexico.[2] His mother was a precinct chairwoman in Southern Colorado for thirty-seven years and a delegate for Adlai Stevenson.[3]
He has been a member of the Advisory Committee for the U.S. Trade Representative's Services Policy, leading a number of U.S. delegations to Mexico.[1][5]
During the Carter administration he served as a member of the Federal Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and of the U.S. Delegations on the Helsinki Accords.[6][5]
Ambassador of Andorra and Spain
On April 2, 1998, President Bill Clinton announced he would like to nominate Edward L. Romero as the next U.S. Ambassador of Spain, and on June 1, Clinton named him to also serve concurrently as Ambassador to Andorra.[1][4] He was confirmed by the Senate on June 23.
On June 28, Ambassador Romero arrived in Madrid, Spain and on June 30, he presented his credentials to King Juan Carlos.[5]
In 2001 he was replaced by George Argyros as ambassador of Spain.
Hispanic Community Leader
He founded the Hispanic Culture Foundation and the National Hispanic Cultural Center,[5] and has served on the President's Hispanic Advisory Committee..
In 1989, the Hispanic Chamber of the Commerce named him the National Hispanic Businessman of the Year.[5]
Entrepreneur
He is one of the founders of "Valor Telecommunications Southwest, LLC." He was the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Advanced Sciences, Inc.,[1][4] an international environmental engineering and waste management corporation. He continued as the president and director after the company merged with Commodore Applied Technologies, Inc.[1]
In 1989, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named him National Hispanic Businessman of the Year.[4]
In 1991, he was also named in the publication "Hispanic Heroes – Portraits of New Mexicans Who Have Made a Difference," edited by Rose Diaz and Jan Dodson Barnhart[4]
He has received awards and acknowledgments from various U.S. and Spanish organizations including the National Kidney Foundation, New Mexico Anti-Defamation League, National Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society.[5]
Honorary Brother of the International Brotherhood of Researchers in Toledo, Spain[5]
Noble Honorary Brother of the Illustrious and Most Ancient Brotherhood of Mozarabic Knights in Toledo, Spain[5]
Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in Madrid, Spain[5]
Personal life
Romero married Cayetana Garcia and they have four children and eight grandchildren.[1] She is a descendant of the first Spanish settlers of New Mexico.[2]
He is a big fan of bullfighting and toreo[2] and engages in various civic and charitable activities