Donald E. Booth is an American diplomat, since September 2008 serving as the United States Ambassador to Zambia.[1] From 2005 to 2008 he was the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia.[2] [3]
Booth attended Georgetown University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in foreign service; Boston University, where he earned an MBA; and the National War College, where he earned a master's degree in national security studies.[1]
He went on to serve in a number of diplomatic posts, including Economic Counselor in Athens, Division Chief of Bilateral Trade Affairs at the State Department, International Relations Officer in the Office of Eastern European Affairs, desk officer for the Office of Egyptian Affairs and the Office of East African Affairs, and various positions at the U.S. embassies to Romania, Gabon, Liberia, and Belgium.[2]
Most recently prior to his appointment as ambassador to Liberia in 2005, he served as Deputy Director of the Office of Southern African Affairs, Director of the Office of West African Affairs, and Director of the Office of Technical and Specialized Agencies in the State Department's Bureau of International Organization Affairs.[2]
Booth was appointed Ambassador to Liberia by George W. Bush in 2005; he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 16, 2005, and arrived in Liberia on July 29.[2] On June 4, 2008, he was confirmed as the new U.S. ambassador to Zambia;[1] he left his post in Liberia on July 11,[2] and took up the post in Zambia on September 19.[1]
He has been nominated to become Ambassador to Ethiopia by President Barack Obama on December 9, 2009.[3] He is currently waiting to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.[3]