Michael Lynn Retzer, Sr. (born 1946), is an American Republican politician from Mississippi, who was United States Ambassador to Tanzania from 2005 to 2007. Background Retzer was born in Bethesda, Maryland, to Karl and Betty Retzer; he has two brothers, Bill Retzer and Jere Retzer. He graduated in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from the University of Oregon's Honors College in Eugene, Oregon. He then followed his father's lead and joined the United States Air Force. Retzer served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, in which he was decorated with the Meritorious Service Award and Commendation medal. He formally served on the board of directors and the executive committee of the Planters Bank of Mississippi. Political life Since 1978, when he succeeded Charles W. Pickering, Retzer has been elected multiple times as state chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party. In 2004, he was elected Treasurer of the Republican National Convention, which met in New York City to re-nominate the Bush-Cheney ticket. In 2001, he was elected Republican National Committeeman for Mississippi; Jim Herring, a lawyer from Canton, then became chairman for a seven-year stint. In 2002, Retzer was named treasurer of the national Republican Party. US Ambassador to Tanzania Retzer was named as Ambassador to Tanzania by U.S. President George W. Bush on June 28, 2005, and the Senate confirmed him on July 29, 2005. Retzer was sworn in by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as United States Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania on August 24, 2005, and presented his credentials to President Benjamin Mkapa in Dar es Salaam on September 1, 2005. While in Tanzania, Retzer was an important part of the program to end corruption in its government. The agreement between the United States and Tanzania gave the country the ability to improve the way civil society monitors the government's progress in getting rid of corruption. It also strengthened the rule of law so corruption cases could finally be tried in court, established a financial intelligence unit to help discover any financial crimes within the government and increase transparency across the board. Dispute with Peace Corps In February 2007, Retzer informed the White House personnel of his intention to return home September 1, 2007. On June 8, 2007, the White House announced that Retzer would be replaced as Ambassador to Tanzania by Mark Green, a former Republican congressman and unsuccessful