Elizabeth M. Tamposi

Elizabeth Marian Tamposi (born 1955) is an American former politician and diplomat who served as United States Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs from October 18, 1989, until November 10, 1992.

Early life Tamposi was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, on February 13, 1955, the daughter of Nashua real estate developer Samuel A. Tamposi, himself born to Aromanian emigrants from Avdhella, Grevena, Greece. She earned a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, and a Master of Public Administration in 1984 and Master of Theological Studies in 2010 from Harvard University. She subsequently earned a PhD from Fordham University.

Early career After college, Tamposi worked for Tamposi Company, her father's real estate company, eventually becoming vice president and partner.

During the 1988 congressional election, Tamposi sought election to the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire, but lost the Republican primary. The primary was marred by controversy after Senator Gordon Humphrey asserted it would be inappropriate for Tamposi, a mother of young children, to leave the home and hold political office.

State Department career On August 4, 1989, President of the United States George H. W. Bush nominated Tamposi as Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. Tamposi directed her subordinates to make such a search.

From 2005 to 2011, Tamposi was a member of the Board of Governors of the University of New Hampshire.