The United States ambassador to Saudi Arabia is the official representative of the president of the United States to the head of state of Saudi Arabia.
The United States recognized the government of King Ibn Saud in 1931, but it was not until 1939 when it appointed its first U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bert Fish, then resident in Cairo and ambassador to Egypt. Fish made one trip down to Jeddah in 1940 to meet the King and present his credentials, but it was not until after his mission was terminated that a legation was established there on May 1, 1942.
The ambassador holds the title Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
Political appointee A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends).
Appointed The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as "commissioning". It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate to remain in office.
Presented credentials The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador's arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador's letter, but this occurs only rarely.
Terminated mission Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador's commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy.
Chargé d'affaires The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country.
Ad interim Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime".
^Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 26, 1954.
^Also commissioned to Yemen, but did not present credentials in that country. Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 27, 1958.
^Also commissioned to Kuwait and Yemen; resident at Jidda.
^Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Sep 29, 1981.
^Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Oct 31, 1997.
^Had presented his credentials to the Foreign Minister, May 5, 2007.