Gene Allan Cretz (born April 20, 1950)[1] is a career diplomat who retired from the Senior Foreign Service in 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 D.C. Cretz was Christopher Stevens' immediate predecessor as U.S.

Prior to assuming his post in Libya, he was a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

His son is a commissioned officer in the Air National Guard in the greater Philadelphia area and his daughter is a consultant in Miami, Florida.