Grand Valley State University alumnus John Beyrle was confirmed Friday by the U.S. Senate as the new Ambassador to Russia.
Beyrle previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria — a post he
has held since 2005. Beyrle is a career member of the senior Foreign
Service. He joined in 1983 and has specialized in Eastern Europe.
Before serving as ambassador to Bulgaria, he was deputy chief of
mission in Moscow. Beyrle also served as counselor for political and
economic affairs at the U.S. embassy in Prague. From 1993-95, he was
director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs on the staff of
the National Security Council. He speaks Bulgarian, Russian, French,
German, and Czech.
Beyrle graduated from Grand Valley in 1975 with a French major and German minor. He has remained close to Grand Valley through the years. He was the winter commencement speaker in 1997, and he several years ago met with Grand Valley students visiting Moscow on a trip with professor Christine Rydel.
