James Blanchard served as U.S. Ambassador to Canada from 1993 to 1996, following his service as Governor of Michigan from 1983 to 1991 and as a Member of Congress from 1975 to 1983. A Carleton University expert on US-Canada relations recognized Blanchard as one of the two best U.S. ambassadors to Canada over a half-century. In recognition of his outstanding service, Secretary of State Warren Christopher presented Blanchard with the Foreign Affairs Award for Public Service.
As Governor, Blanchard presided over the addition of 750,000 new Michigan jobs and created Michigan’s first Office of the Great Lakes. Most notably, he also created the Michigan Education Trust, the nation’s first prepaid tuition guarantee program.
Blanchard is co-chair of the Ambassadors Circle of the National Democratic Institute and co-chair of the executive committee of the Canada-U.S. Law Institute. He chaired the Board and remains active with the Meridian International Center. Blanchard is also a co-founder of the Blanchard Public Service Forum at Michigan State University.
Blanchard earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota.