“The General” officially takes office as US Ambassador to Albania — who were his 10 predecessors?

Eric Wendt has officially taken office as Ambassador of the United States of America to Albania, restoring after nearly three years a confirmed ambassador to the head of the US diplomatic mission in Tirana.

On Saturday, Wendt presented his credentials to President Bajram Begaj, formally beginning his mandate in Albania. He succeeds Yuri Kim, who completed her tenure in June 2023.

Nominated by US President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate on August 6, 2026, Wendt arrives in Albania after a career of more than 34 years in the US military, with experience in security and special operations.

But who were the diplomats who previously led the US Embassy in Tirana?

According to official US State Department data, the ten ambassadors before Eric Wendt are:

1. Yuri Kim — US Ambassador to Albania from January 2020 to 2023. She was the last ambassador before Wendt, and after her departure the post remained without a confirmed ambassador for a long period.

2. Donald Lu — Ambassador from January 2015 to September 2018. During his tenure, US-Albania relations focused particularly on justice reform and the fight against corruption.

3. Alexander A. Arvizu — Ambassador from December 2010 to January 2015.

4. John L. Withers — Ambassador from August 2007 to August 2010.

5. Marcie B. Ries — Ambassador from October 2004 to June 2007.

6. James F. Jeffrey — Ambassador from October 2002 to May 2004.

7. Joseph A. Limprecht — Ambassador from September 1999 to May 2002.

8. Marisa R. Lino — Ambassador from September 1996 to May 1999.

9. Joseph E. Lake — Ambassador from October 1994 to March 1996.

10. William E. Ryerson — the first US ambassador to Albania after the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, with a mandate from December 1991 to October 1994.

Diplomatic relations between Albania and the United States were re-established on March 15, 1991, while the US Embassy in Tirana opened on October 1 of the same year. Before Ryerson’s appointment, Christopher Hill served briefly as chargé d’affaires from October to December 1991, but he was not an ambassador.

With Eric Wendt at the head of the diplomatic mission, the United States thus restores a confirmed ambassador in Tirana after more than three years. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Wendt stated that among his priorities in Albania would be the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime, and strengthening cooperation in defense and security.