As a political officer in Georgetown, Guyana, Eaton represented the United States in negotiations.

He also led successful negotiations between the United States, Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, Canada, and Sweden to establish centers for former weapons scientists.

In September 1998, Eaton took a three-year hiatus in his diplomatic career, serving as executive director of the Young Presidents' Organization.

Bush then named Eaton United States Ambassador to Panama, serving from September 9, 2005, to July 5, 2008.

[3] In 2008, he became Dean of the School of Language Studies at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center.