Nyhus earned his bachelor's degree from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at
Washington State University.[1]
Career
Nyhus is the founder and former CEO of Nyhus Communications, a communications and public affairs firm based in
Seattle, Washington, the eighth largest Native American-owned company in the state of
Washington.
He has participated in international trade missions to China, Ireland, Cuba, and the United Arab Emirates. Nyhus has also served as a trusted adviser to business, government, and nonprofit leaders worldwide, including CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. During his career, Nyhus served as the Communications Director for Washington Governor
Gary Locke, a Senior Advocacy Officer for the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Communications Director for Seattle Mayor
Paul Schell. He is an enrolled member of the Chinook Indian Nation, as well as serving on the boards of the
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and
Downtown Seattle Association.[1]
During the leadup to the
2020 presidential election, Biden made a campaign stop at Nyhus' home in Washington state.[2]
U.S. ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
On September 20, 2022, President
Joe Biden nominated Nyhus to be the ambassador to
Barbados, while also serving as the ambassador to Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.[1][3] His nomination was returned to Biden at the end of the Congress on January 3, 2023, as no action was taken on it.[4]
President Biden renominated Nyhus the same day. Hearings on his nomination were held before the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 4, 2023. The committee favorably reported his nomination on June 1, 2023. On November 15, 2023, the Senate confirmed Nyhus by a
voice vote.[5] He presented his credentials to President of Barbados
Sandra Mason on January 19, 2024.[6]
U.S. ambassador to St. Lucia
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General
Errol Charles on January 31, 2024.[7]
U.S. ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General Sir
Rodney Williams on February 2, 2024.[8]
U.S. ambassador to Grenada
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General
Cécile La Grenade on February 6, 2024.[9]
U.S. ambassador to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General
Susan Dougan on February 9, 2024.[10]
U.S. ambassador to Saint Kitts and Nevis
Nyhus presented his credentials to Governor General
Marcella Liburd on February 14, 2024.[11]
U.S. ambassador to Dominica
Nyhus presented his credentials to President
Sylvanie Burton on February 26, 2024.[12]
Awards and recognitions
In February 2023, Washington State University announced Nyhus would be inducted into Murrow College's Hall of Achievement.[13]