Mary E. Kramer
KayNMary@aol.com

Former Iowa State Senator Mary Kramer was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean on January 16, 2004, representing the United States to the governments of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda,St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Ambassador Kramer has served in the Iowa Senate representing Clive and West Des Moines, Iowa since 1990. In 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002 she was elected by her colleagues to preside over the Iowa Senate. She was first sworn in as president of the Senate in January 1997.

Ambassador Kramer recently retired from the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. During 18 years with the company, she served as Vice President of Human Resources and as Vice President of Community Investments. A former teacher and school administrator, she was the Corporate Personnel Director for Younkers, Inc. before joining Wellmark. She has been an active member of numerous industrial and community organizations.

Ambassador Kramer graduated from Iowa City High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Iowa. She received her undergraduate degree in piano performance and still enjoys playing. Ambassador Kramer has served as a member of the Board of the Des Moines Club, the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Iowa, the Polk County Child Care Resource Center, Brenton Bank and Mercy Hospital. She is also a lifetime member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in Iowa and received the Societyýs highest national award in June of 1996.

President Bush recently appointed Ambassador Kramer to serve as the chair of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. Additionally, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and is the Chairman of the Board for the Senate Presidentýs Forum. She is also a member of the Reforming States Group (Health Care Issues) and facilitated the Milbank Memorial fund.