Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr. has served as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt since August 30, 2005. He had served previously (2002-05) as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Palau.

Ambassador Ricciardone has extensive service related to Egypt, Turkey, and Iraq. He served previously at the Embassy in Cairo (1986-89), and as Chief of the Civilian Observer Unit of the Multinational Force and Observers in Egypt’s Sinai Desert (1989-91). In Turkey, he began his career in Ankara and Adana (1979-81); returned as Political Advisor to the Turkish and American commanders of Operation Provide Comfort at Incirlik Air Base and Northern Iraq (1993); and served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires in Ankara (1995-99). In Iraq, he led the organization of the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad (2004). He also served as the Secretary of State's Special Coordinator for the Transition of Iraq (1999-01), as Deputy Chief of Mission for Baghdad, resident in Amman (1991-93), and as country officer for Iraq (1982-85). In Washington, Mr. Ricciardone has served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research as analyst for Turkey and Cyprus, and in senior management positions under the Director General of the Foreign Service and Human Resources. He has won high awards for policy and program management and for political reporting.

Mr. Ricciardone was born in Boston and graduated from Malden Catholic High School. Upon graduation summa cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1973, he received a Fulbright Scholarship for teaching and study in Italy, and later taught school in Iran. His wife, Dr. Marie Ricciardone, is a molecular biologist. They have two grown daughters.

Mr. Ricciardone speaks Arabic, Italian, Turkish, and French.