Peter Secchia (1937–2020)

Businessman who served as the United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino from 1989 to 1993.[84]

What is Peter Secchia (1937–2020) known for?

Peter Finley Secchia, born on April 15, 1937 in Englewood, New Jersey, is a notable alumnus of Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey. Secchia made his mark as an American businessman, Republican political activist, and diplomat who notably served as the United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino from 1989 to 1993.

Secchia's educational journey took him from Tenafly High School to Michigan State University. However, financial struggles led him to leave University and enroll in the Marines. Determination saw him return to Michigan State University where he eventually earned a degree in economics in 1963.

His career was diverse, spanning military service in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959, to significant political activism within the Republican Party in Michigan. He started his political journey as chairman of the Kent County, Michigan Republican Committee and later chaired the 5th Congressional District of Michigan committee. Secchia’s political influence grew as he was elected Michigan's Republican National Committeeman in 1980, 1984, and 1988, and took on the role of vice chairman of the Republican National Committee. His work also included being host chairman of the 1985 RNC Midwest Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan and serving on the national advisory committee of the 1988 George Bush for President Committee.

From 1989 to 1993, he served as the U.S. ambassador to Italy, a nomination that stirred controversy due to its connection with long-time financial backers and supporters of George Bush. His business ventures were equally successful, serving as the CEO and chairman of the board of Universal Forest Products and Chairman of the River City Food Company.

In 1994, he was appointed to chair the Secchia Commission I by Michigan governor John Engler, which aimed at improving government services. Peter Secchia passed away on October 21, 2020, in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, leaving behind a legacy of leadership both in business and political circles.

For more information, visit Peter Secchia's Wikipedia page.