Blum made headlines last March when The New York Times reported that he was eyeing an ambassadorship. The wealthy financier was reportedly interested in a position in a European capital. Blum served as the chairman of Blum Capital Partners, an equity investment management firm. Feinstein’s office said Blum’s “true passion was outside the office,” noting his involvement with the people of the Himalayas, having founded the American Himalayan Foundation. [snip]