Background
Williamson, Richard Salisbury was born on May 9, 1949 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Donald George Williamson and Marion (Salisbury) Williamson.
Williamson, Richard Salisbury was born on May 9, 1949 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Donald George Williamson and Marion (Salisbury) Williamson.
AB with honors, Princeton University, 1971. Juris Doctor, University Virginia, 1974.
Legislation counsel, administrative assistant to Republican Philip M. Crane United States Congress, 1974-1976. Associate Winston & Strawn LLP, Washington, 1977-1980, partner, 1980, Chicago, since 2007. Assistant to President for intergovernmental affairs President's Task Force on Regulatory Relief, 1981-1983.
Permanent representative to United Nations United States Department State, Vienna, 1983-1985. Senior vice president, corporation & international relations Beatrice Companies, Inc., Chicago, 1985-1986. Partner Mayer, Brown & Platt LLP, 1986—2001.
Assistant secretary for international organization affairs United States Department State, Washington, 1988-1989, alternate representative to United Nations for special political affairs, 2002—2007, special envoy to Sudan, 2008—2009. Chief United States Delegation to United States-Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Bilateral Negotiations on Nuclear Nonproliferation, 1983—1984, United States Delegation, Fourth General Conference United Nations Industrial Organization, 1984, United States Delegation to Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, 1984. Member Illinois Economic Board, 1987—1988, President General Advisory Committee on Arms Control & Disarmament, United States Arms Control & Disarmament Agency, 1987—1993, National Leadership Network, Institute Contemporary Studies, 1989—2001.
Board advisors Center for Security Policy, 1989—1998. Member United Nations Association United States of America, 1989—2001, Administrative Conference United States, 1989—1992, vice chairman, 1981—1983. Member Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Chicago, 1991—1994.
Chairman Illinois Secretary State Merit Commission, 1993—1999, Illinois Regulatory Relief Task Force, 1994—1998. Co-chairman Enterprise Works Worldwide, 1996—2001. Member Governor-Elect George Ryan's Transition Team, 1998, Panel on Eminent Persons on Strengthening the Effectiveness of the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe, 2005, Council Foreign Relations.
Senior advisory National Bush for President Campaign Committee, 1987—1988, Bush Administration Transition Team, 1988—1989, United States Delegation to United Nations Human Rights Commission, 1987, 89.
Chairman Illinois Republican Party, 1999-2002. Member of American Bar Association, Washington District of Columbia Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association.
Married Jane Thatcher, August 25, 1973. Children: Elizabeth Jean, Craig Salisbury, Richard Middleton.