Education
University of Rochester.
University of Rochester.
Before retiring, he was the United States. Ambassador to Ghana. Before this, he was the first United States. Ambassador to Libya since 1972, after being nominated in July 2007 by President Bush. His nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 21, 2008.
He was sworn-in as United States. Ambassador to Libya by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on December 17, 2008, at the State Department.
He arrived in Libya on December 27, 2008. Cretz speaks a number of languages, including Arabic, Dari, Urdu, and Chinese.
President Barack Obama nominated him for the post to Ghana in April 2012. He was sworn-in as the United States. Ambassador to Ghana by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on September 11, 2012.
His retirement ceremony was held at the United States. State Department on Wednesday, July 1, 2015.
Gene Cretz previously served in key diplomatic posts in Israel, Egypt and Syria. In addition to these postings, he has also been stationed in Pakistan, India, China, and in Washington District of Columbia Cretz was Christopher Stevens" immediate predecessor as United States. Ambassador to Libya. Prior to assuming his post in Libya, he was a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
Early Cretz was born in Albany, New York and attended Albany High School, graduating with the class of 1968.
He subsequently taught there from 1977 to 1979. He received a bachelor"s degree in English Literature from the University of Rochester and a master"s degree in Linguistics and Secondary Education from Buffalo State College at Buffalo.