Donald Henry Rumsfeld

Rumsfeld, Donald Henry (1932– ), powerful U.S. politician and businessman. He served in the House of Representatives (1963–69). He worked for the Nixon administration, including an appointment as ambassador from the United States in Brussels, Belgium, for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). During the administration of President Gerald Ford, he served as chief of staff (1974) and secretary of defense (1975–77). He was involved in Middle Eastern negotiations through appointment by President Ronald Reagan (1983–84). In business, he has headed G.D. Searle & Company (1977) and has been a member of the William Blair & Company investment bank (1985– ).