John Ross Beyrle, a career Foreign Service Officer and specialist in Russian and Eastern European affairs, was Ambassador of the United States to the Russian Federation from July 3, 2008 until January 10, 2012, when he was succeeded by Michael McFaul. He was Ambassador to Bulgaria 2005 - 2008. Beyrle was Ambassador in Moscow during the "reset" of Russian-American relationship, which saw the signing of the New START arms control treaty, agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and liberalized visa formalities for American and Russian travelers. Amb. Beyrle retired from the State Department in July 2012 with the rank of Career Minister, the diplomatic equivalent of a three-star general. He serves on the Board of Directors of the US-Russia Foundation, and provides consulting services on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and other countries of the former Soviet Union. 

February 11th, 1954 in Muskegon (Age 70)