Alfonso E. Lenhardt '76

Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt most recently served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, a position he held from 2009 to 2013. From 2004 to 2009, Ambassador Lenhardt was the President and CEO of the nonprofit National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC).

He was the Senior Vice President of Government Relations for The Shaw Group from 2003 to 2004. In 2001, Ambassador Lenhardt was appointed the 36th Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the United States Senate and became the first African American to serve as an officer of the Congress. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Council on Foundations from 1997 to 2001.
With more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, Ambassador Lenhardt retired in 1997 as Major General. Ambassador Lenhardt received a B.S. from the University of Nebraska, an M.P.A. from Central Michigan University, an M.S. from Wichita State University, and post-graduate studies at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and University of Michigan School of Business. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.