William J. Cabaniss

William Jelks Cabaniss Jr. (born July 11, 1938)[1] is an American politician and diplomat who served as a member of both chambers of the Alabama Legislature and U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic in the George W. Bush Administration.

William J. Cabaniss
5th United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic
In office
January 13, 2004 – September 15, 2006
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byCraig R. Stapleton
Succeeded byRichard Graber
Member of the Alabama Senate
In office
November 3, 1982 – November 7, 1990
Preceded byDewey White
Succeeded byJ. T. Waggoner
Constituency
  • 11th district (1982–1983)
  • 16th district (1983–1990)
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from the 31st district
In office
November 8, 1978 – November 3, 1982
Preceded byDewey White
Succeeded byVan Scott
Personal details
Born
William Jelks Cabaniss Jr.

(1938-07-11) July 11, 1938
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCatherine Hood Caldwell
Alma materVanderbilt University (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1960–1964
RankFirst lieutenant

Early life and education

Cabaniss graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in 1960 and entered the United States Army, where he served as a First Lieutenant with the Airborne Rangers. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1964, after a three-year tour of duty in Germany.

Career

After leaving the Army, Cabaniss returned to Birmingham and began his business career with the Southern Cement Company Division of Martin Marietta Corporation. In 1971, he resigned from his position as Director of Market Development with Southern Cement and started his own company, Precision Grinding, Inc., after acquired the assets of a small metal grinding company, which he transformed into a steel plate processing and metal machining business.

Cabaniss, a Republican, served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1978 to 1982 and the Alabama State Senate from 1982 to 1990. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in the 1990 election, losing to incumbent Democratic Senator Howell Heflin.

References
  1. "Home". Retrieved 2009-01-27. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
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