Ryan Crocker is currently an executive professor at Texas A&M University. From 2010–2011 and 2013–2016, he served as dean and executive professor at the George Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M where he was holder of the Edward and Howard Kruse Endowed Chair.
He retired from the Foreign Service in April 2009 after a career of more than 37 years but was recalled to active duty by President Obama to serve as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan in 2011. He has served as U.S. Ambassador six times: Afghanistan (2011–2012), Iraq (2007–2009), Pakistan (2004–2007), Syria (1998–2001), Kuwait (1994–1997), and Lebanon (1990–1993).
Born in Spokane, Washington, he grew up in an Air Force family, attending schools in Morocco, Canada, and Turkey, as well as the United States. He received a B.A. in English in 1971 and an honorary doctor of laws degree in 2001 from Whitman College (Washington). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and the Association of American Ambassadors. In August 2013, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve on the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees all U.S. government-supported civilian international media. He is also on the board of directors of Mercy Corps International.
Ambassador Crocker received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, in 2009. In July 2012, he was named an Honorary Marine, the 75th civilian so honored since the founding of the Corps in 1775.