Hanging with Mr. Big

Steve had a photo op with the U.S. Ambassador Ronald Spogli and his wife a few weeks back. The Ambassador just left and we are sad to see him go. They are a nice family. They let the embassy community use their swimming pool in the summer and their villa for different functions like Easter (egg hunts for the kids) and Christmas (photos with Santa).Spogli was confirmed by the US Senate in June of '05 after being nominated by President Bush. We will have a new Ambassador appointed by President Obama in the near future.

Spogli received a B.A. in history from Stanford in 1970, and earned his MBA from Harvard where he was future President George Bush's roommate. He lived in Florence and Milan for two years during his time at Stanford, and became fluent in Italian.
This is Spogli's office. It is PLUSH with all manner of Italian finery like the Venetian glass chandelier from Murano and fancy marble table from Carrara. This was Italian Princess Margherita's home and it is fit to receive a king...or at least the American President when he comes to visit.

Well Steve got his B.A. from BYU and his MBA from UTD and became fluent in Italian when he lived in Bari and Palermo for two years on his mission (so far so good) but darn it, unlike Spogli he was only roommates with the Elder's Quorum President Roger Mclea and met Pres. Bush on his way out.... so that settles it... Steve won't be appointed the US Ambassador in Spogli's stead. Nope, you won't see our backsides planted on those fine Italian leather sofas any time soon. It's all in who you know!