J. Thomas Schieffer is the founder and CEO of Envoy International LLC, a consulting firm that provides a wide range of advice to companies with international interests. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2005-2009 and Ambassador to Australia from 2001-2005. Prior to his diplomatic service Ambassador Schieffer was an investor in the partnership that bought the Texas Rangers Baseball Club in 1989. He oversaw the building of the Club’s new home, The Ballpark in Arlington, and served as President of the franchise from 1991-1999.

Following his diplomatic service, Ambassador Schieffer was presented with the Order of Australia by the Governor General of Australia in 2006 and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan in 2013. He was also decorated by six agencies and departments of the United States government for his service.

Ambassador Schieffer attended the University of Texas, where he earned a B.A. in government, an M.A. in international relations, and studied law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1979.