Rockwell A. Schnabel (born December 30, 1936) is a Dutch-American businessman who served as the United States Ambassador to the European Union from 2001 to 2005.

[1][2][3] Following his decision to stay in America, Schnabel joined the California Air National Guard, where he served for six years, and became a United States citizen in the early 1960s.

In 1965, he joined the Los Angeles-based brokerage firm Bateman Eichler, Hill Richards Inc., where he spent nearly two decades, eventually becoming the chairman of its executive committee.

[3] In November 1985, President Ronald Reagan nominated Schnabel to be the United States Ambassador to Finland;[5] he would serve in the role from 1986 to 1989.

[2] In an interview with the Library of Congress, Schnabel explained that he had approached the Reagan administration looking for a position in the United States Foreign Service, believing that he would be successful due to his experience in international business and his background growing up in Europe.

[6] In 1989, Schnabel returned to the United States to serve as Under Secretary for Travel and Tourism in the Department of Commerce, and in 1991 President George H. W. Bush nominated him to serve as United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce,[1] a position he held until 1993, when the administration of President Bill Clinton took over.