Ambassador Pete Hoekstra
Ambassador Pete Hoekstra brings a unique blend of skills and experience to the executive suite, Ambassador, Congressman, and Fortune 500 executive. Pete’s areas of expertise include national security, international relations, cyber security, marketing and business development. Born in the Netherlands, Pete continues to live the American dream.
Throughout his career in business, politics, and diplomacy Ambassador Hoekstra has developed and demonstrated leadership skills and a strong ability to get things done.
Currently Pete serves as a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute, works with a range of profit and not for profit organizations, and writes and speaks on national security issues.
Ambassador Hoekstra represented the United States as Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. During his tenure, The Hague hosted the Department of State Global Entrepreneurial Summit in June of 2019, which was attended by over 2000 entrepreneurs, investors, and other business leaders. The Dutch Parliament created the American Friendship Group at his urging. He continues too aggressively and effectively promote United States foreign policy goals and objectives.
Pete served in the United States Congress for 18 years, representing Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District from 1993 to 2011. He served as Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2004 until January 2007. He was a member of the Gang of Eight from 2004 until 2011 receiving the most highly classified information available in the U.S. government.
Prior to his service in the U.S. Congress, Pete had a successful career at Herman Miller, Inc. of Zeeland, Michigan—a company frequently cited as one of the most admired in America and one of the best places to work. Over his 15 year career at Herman Miller, Pete worked in a variety of positions rising through the ranks to become the Vice President of Marketing.
In 2008, Pete was appointed as an Officer in the Order of the Orange-Nassau, a royal honor from the Dutch government. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) awarded Pete with its “Agency Seal Medal” and the Director of National Intelligence awarded him with the “National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal”.
Pete earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hope College and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
He lives in Fennville, Michigan, with his wife, Diane.