Bob Fannin

Ambassador P. Robert Fannin has enjoyed a 44-year career as a lawyer in private practice and as a businessman. In those roles he has worked in the public policy arena, has advised many businesses on legal matters, and has served as an officer and director of two financial institutions. From 2007-2009, he served as the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

Since 1963 he has been in the private practice of law. He is presently senior counsel with the 450 attorney international law firm of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He has been an active member of the Bar, including 14 years as a chairman of a State Bar legal education program. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Arizona State University College of Law in 1995, and was appointed by the Supreme Court of Arizona to serve on the State Commission on Salaries of Elected Officials.

Ambassador Fannin has been a strong proponent of responsible economic growth for Arizona. He has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, as well as many committees of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, including the Special Events Committee, which was created to promote Greater Phoenix through the sponsorship of sporting events. He also served on numerous committees under several governors, including the Governor's Strategic Partnership for Economic Development, the Governor's Transportation Task Force, the Plan B Task Force (stadium financing) and Growing Smarter. As chairman and member of the Governor's Motion Picture and Television Advisory Board he actively promoted film and television production in Arizona. From 2005-2007, he served as a member of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.

Ambassador Fannin continues to be active in charitable non-profit work and volunteer service. He is a Life Member of the Phoenix Thunderbirds which conducts the FBR Open (formerly the Phoenix Open) Professional Golf Tournment. He was Chairman of the tournament in 1976. He is an emeritus board member (former Chairman) of the Barrow Neurological Institute Foundation, and a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society (United Way).

Ambassador Fannin has been active in Arizona politics for many years assisting candidates for Federal, State and local offices. He was Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party from June 2001 to January 2005. As such, he was a member of the Republican National Committee during the same period.

A native of Phoenix, Ambassador Fannin received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona. He served on active duty for three years as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. He is married to Dr. Elizabeth Wilkinson Fannin, a retired neuro-anesthesiologist, and is the father of three children, Paul, Jr., Sheryl and Joe.

Ambassadorial Post(s)

Dominican Republic, (2007 - 2009)

Areas of Expertise