Mr. Shultz is an economist, educator, industrialist, and public official. He was born in New York City. After heading the business school at the University of Chicago (1962-1968), he served in a succession of federal posts. In 1974 he left Washington, D.C., for Bechtel, a multinational construction and engineering firm. Shultz was president of Bechtel from 1975 until June 1982, when he was called back to Washington to replace Alexander M. Haig, Jr., as Secretary of State. He continued to serve in that capacity during President Ronald Reagan's second administration.

Mr. Shultz and his wife, Charlotte Mailliard Shultz are the honorary co-chairs of the Hospice Mask Project Celebrity Gala