John B. Emerson

John Bonnell Emerson (born January 11, 1954) is an American diplomat, lawyer, business executive and the former United States Ambassador to Germany, having served from 2013 to 2017. Emerson was the 2015 recipient of the State Department’s Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service, which is given annually to a non-career ambassador who has used private sector leadership and management skills to make a significant impact on bilateral or multilateral relations through proactive diplomacy. In 2017 he was the recipient of both the CIA Medal and the United States Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, which is its highest civilian honor. Emerson currently serves as Vice Chairman of Capital Group International. He has been the Chairman of the American Council on Germany since 2018. Biography Emerson was raised in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and Larchmont, New York. He received his bachelor’s degree in government and philosophy from Hamilton College in 1975, and in 2017 the college named him an Honorary Doctor of Laws. After earning a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1978, Emerson practiced law with Manatt, Phelps and Phillips and made partner in 1983. Emerson then served as deputy campaign manager for Gary Hart’s presidential campaign until its dissolution in May 1987. After questioning Hart about his weekend with Donna Rice when the story of their extramarital affair broke, Emerson said to another top aide, “I’m a team player. Hart can trust me to the moon. But I’m not buying this shit.” Emerson was played by Tommy Dewey in Jason Reitman’s film about the scandal, The Front Runner, starring Hugh Jackman in the title role.