Schultz, Eric T., 1959-

Eric T. Schultz (born 1959) is a retired American diplomat. He notably served as U.S. Ambassador to Zambia (2014-2017).

After graduating with honors from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota in 1982 and completing an M.A. in International Studies at Denver University in 1987, Schultz entered the Foreign Service. His first posting was as General Services Officer in Antananarivo, Madagascar from 1987 to 1989. Next, he served as Vice Consul and General Services Officer in Paris, France from 1989 to 1991, Administrative Officer in Martinique, French West Indies from 1991 to 1992, Human Rights Officer for the Former Soviet Union in the Department's Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Bureau from 1992 to 1994, and Political Officer in Tbilisi, Georgia from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Schultz also completed the Advanced Economics Course at the Foreign Service Institute in 1995.

Schultz served in the State Department as the Deputy Director for Ukrainian, Moldovan, and Belarusian Affairs from 1998 to 2000, then served in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan from 2000-2002 as Deputy Chief of Mission and for six months before and after 9/11 as Charge d'Affaires. From 2002-2004, he was Deputy Director in the State Department’s Office of European Security and Political Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. relations with NATO and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). From 2004-2007, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe. From 2007 to 2009 he served in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia as the Counselor for Economic Affairs. Immediately before his ambassadorship, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine, from 2010 to 2013.

Schultz took the oath of office on September 18, 2014 as the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, presenting his credentials on December 12, 2014. His mission was terminated on November 20, 2017. Thereafter, he joined Asters Law in Washington, D.C., drawing on his diplomatic background as a senior policy advisor.

Schultz received numerous Department awards, including five individual Superior Honor Awards and three individual Meritorious Honor Awards. He is married to Klaudia Schultz, with whom he has two sons. He speaks French, Russian, and Ukrainian in addition to English.