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Jon Huntsman Jr.American statesman and businessman
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- John Huntsman Jr.: A Life of Public Service, Diplomacy, and Business
- Diplomatic Career
- Religious Beliefs
- Business Career
- Personal Beliefs
- Musical Interests
John Huntsman Jr.: A Life of Public Service, Diplomacy, and Business
Early Life and EducationJohn Huntsman Jr. was born on March 26, 1960, in Redwood City, California. His father, Jon Huntsman Sr., is a prominent businessman and philanthropist. His mother, Karen, is the daughter of David B. Haight, a noted Latter-day Saint Church leader. As a teenager, Huntsman earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Highland High School in Salt Lake City before leaving to pursue a career as a keyboardist in the rock band Wizard. Huntsman eventually obtained his high school diploma and enrolled at the University of Utah, where he followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Sigma Chi fraternity. He served as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan for two years before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor's degree in international relations in 1987.
Diplomatic Career
Huntsman served as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore from 1992 to 1993 and to China from 2009 to 2011. He was the 16th Governor of Utah from 2005 to 2009, when he was succeeded by Gary Herbert. Huntsman has served in administrations under five U.S. presidents and was a Republican presidential candidate in 2012. In January 2014, he became Chairman of the Atlantic Council, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Huntsman's nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Russia was confirmed by the Senate on September 28, 2017. He reportedly began taking Russian language lessons and has said he has learned the Russian phrase "Viam supervadet vadens" (The road will overcome the one who travels it).
Religious Beliefs
Huntsman was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a May 2011 interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News, he stated, "I believe in God. I'm a good Christian. I'm very proud of my Mormon heritage. I'm a Mormon." In December 2010, Huntsman told _Newsweek_ that his church does not have a monopoly on his spirituality. In an interview with _Time_, he emphasized that he considers himself a more spiritual than religious person. Huntsman has also said, "There are 13 million Mormons today. It's a tremendously diverse and pluralistic group of people. And you'll find a whole range of views and opinions among those 13 million Mormons. I was raised a Mormon. Mary Kaye [his wife] was raised Episcopalian. Our kids were raised going to Catholic school. I went to Lutheran when I was growing up in Los Angeles. So you kind of put it all together." Huntsman rejects the notion that belief in God and evolution are mutually exclusive. In 2011, in response to Rick Perry's statements that there is no evidence of global warming and that evolution is only a theory, Huntsman said, "I want to be clear. I believe in evolution and I believe in scientists on global warming. Call me crazy." He added, "As the Republican Party becomes more and more...the anti-science party, we have a huge problem. We lose a lot of people who otherwise would be part of helping us win elections in 2012."
Business Career
From 1993 to 2001, Huntsman served as CEO of Huntsman Corporation, Chairman of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, and President of Huntsman Family Holdings Company. In February 2012, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Co. by Executive Chairman William Clay Ford Jr., who cited Huntsman's extensive knowledge and experience, particularly in the Asian market. In April 2012, Huntsman was named to the Board of Directors of Caterpillar Inc. According to the _Washington Post_, Huntsman met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in March 2012 to discuss the vacant position of World Bank president. The newspaper reported that Huntsman "was angling for President Barack Obama to name him to lead the bank." However, Huntsman's daughter, Abby Huntsman Livingston, who was present at the meeting with Reid, asserted that her father was not interested in the job.
Personal Beliefs
As Governor of Utah, Huntsman signed several bills placing restrictions on abortion. He also supported legislation that would have allowed for civil unions for same-sex couples in Utah but not same-sex marriage. However, Huntsman wrote an op-ed for _The American Conservative_ in 2013 in which he came out in favor of same-sex marriage. "All Americans should be treated equally under the law," he wrote. "This does not mean that the state should coerce religious bodies to accept practices that violate their consciences. But civil equality is not in conflict with—and, indeed, helps preserve—religious liberty."
Musical Interests
Huntsman describes himself as a fan of progressive rock. As a college student, he was particularly attracted to the supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer, as well as King Crimson and Uriah Heep. On July 30, 2007, Huntsman attended a concert by the progressive metal band Dream Theater. That same day, he declared July 30th "Dream Theater Day" in the state of Utah. Huntsman is also an admirer of experimental musician Captain Beefheart, especially his 1969 album "Trout Mask Replica." Huntsman was allowed to play keyboards on two songs when REO Speedwagon performed in Utah on September 16, 2005.
