Liberia and Republic of Honduras

DAVID A. STRAZ, JR

AMBASSADOR DAVID A. STRAZ, JR.- Ambassador at Large & Honorary Consul General, Republics of Liberia & Republic of Honduras. Upon his graduation from Marquette University in 1965 with a degree in finance, he moved into a leadership position in banking management going on to build banking organizations in Wisconsin and Florida which he sold to U.S. Bank, Bank of America, and Fifth Third Bank.

In 1984 Marquette University dedicated its College of Business Administration, David A. Straz, Jr. Hall and in 2002 dedicated David A. Straz, Jr. Tower. In 2005 the University of Tampa dedicated David A. Straz, Jr. Hall. He was named Marquette University Alumnus of the Year and received a Commendation from the Governor of Wisconsin for dedication to education and the visual and performing arts. In 1995 Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, dedicated the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for Natural and Social Sciences. In 2000 Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo dedicated the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Hospital. In 2007 he received the Humanitarian Award of the Decade from the College of West Africa. In 2009 the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (Tampa) was dedicated. In 2010 The Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame inducted him, and he was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2012 Berkeley Preparatory School dedicated the Straz Family Field House. In 2012 The University of Liberia dedicated the David A. Straz, Jr. Sinje Campus.

In 2011 he received a commendation from Hillsborough County and the Key to the County for "true philanthropy and community leadership to Hillsborough County and throughout the world." The City of Tampa honored him with a commendation and the Key to the City. He received the Key to the City of Monrovia, Liberia and was Knighted into the Humane Order of African Redemption.

Active in supporting higher education and the visual and performing arts and having served on many boards, he is a past Chairman of the Board of Marquette University, the University of Tampa, and the Lowry Park Zoo Foundation. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Carthage College, an Honorary Doctorate in Education Management from Catholic University of Honduras, and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the University of Liberia. He is Chairman of Tampa General Hospital, a director/trustee of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and Carthage College. He is King XCIX of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

David is married to Catherine Louisa Lowry, and they have a daughter, Keebler. They collect French Impressionist paintings, Dresden China, and European antiques, received the Kairos Award from the Haggerty Museum of Art, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for their distinguished role in fine arts, the 19th Carthage College flame award, and the Champion of Private Higher Education Award from the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.