Ed McMullen

McMullen was born on May 1, 1964, in New York City, but mostly grew-up in Port Jefferson, New York, where he attended Port Jefferson High School, graduating in 1983,^[2] before studying Political Science at Hampden-Sydney College, a private college, located in Hampden Sydney, Virginia. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.^[3][4]

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, he was the president of McMullen Public Affairs, an advertising and corporate public affairs company.^[5] In the 2002 election, he was a candidate in the Republican primary for South Carolina Secretary of State, losing to Mark Hammond who subsequently won the general election.

McMullen was involved with Trump's successful 2016 presidential campaign, acting as chairman of the candidate's South Carolina Republican primary efforts, helping to plan the 2016 Republican National Convention, and serving as a member of Trump's transition team and as vice chair of the Trump inaugural committee.^[6]

McMullen left office on January 17, 2021.^[7]

On April 1, 1989, McMullen married Margaret Ann Wade, a daughter of Julian "Hootie" L. Wade Jr. and Martha Ann Wade (née Echols), originally of Greenville, South Carolina. Her father was employed by J.P. Stevens & Co, a textile mill.^[8] They have two children;

• Edward T. McMullen III (born 1993)
• Katherine W. McMullen (born 1997)

Since his resignation from his Ambassador post in Switzerland, he moved back to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina.