For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 11, 2001

President Intends to Nominate Robert V. Royall

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate Robert. V. Royall to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania. "Bob Royall has made invaluable contributions to his community and the State of South Carolina.  He is a distinguished business and community leader and will be an excellent US Ambassador to Tanzania," said President Bush.

Mr. Royall was appointed Secretary of Commerce for the State of South Carolina by Governor David Beasley and served from 1995 to 1999.  He is presently the Chairman of the National Bank of South Carolina where he has served since 1991. Before joining the National Bank of South Carolina, he served as Vice Chairman of the Citizens and Southern Corporation. From 1984 to 1994, he served as Chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. A dedicated member of his community, he is a trustee of the University of South Carolina Business Partnership Foundation and South Carolina Educational Communications, Inc.   He has received numerous awards for his service including the Leadership Award from the Central South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross, South Carolina Businessman of the Year by the South Carolina State Chamber in 1992 and the NAACP's Humanitarian Award in 1989.

A veteran of the United States Marines, he is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration.