Judith Beth Cefkin | |
---|---|
15th United States Ambassador to Fiji | |
In office February 3, 2015 –February 25, 2018 | |
President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Frankie A. Reed |
Succeeded by | Joseph Cella |
12th United States Ambassador to Kiribati | |
In office February 23,2015 –February 25,2018 | |
President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Frankie A. Reed |
Succeeded by | Joseph Cella |
13th United States Ambassador to Nauru | |
In office August 12,2015 –February 25,2018 | |
President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Frankie A. Reed |
Succeeded by | Joseph Cella |
15th United States Ambassador to Tonga | |
In office April 22,2015 –February 25,2018 | |
President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Frankie A. Reed |
Succeeded by | Joseph Cella |
13th United States Ambassador to Tuvalu | |
In office May 12,2015 –February 25,2018 | |
President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Frankie A. Reed |
Succeeded by | Joseph Cella |
Personal details | |
Born | 1953 (age 70–71) Colorado,U.S. |
Spouse | Paul Boyd |
Alma mater | Smith College London School of Economics |
Judith Beth Cefkin (born in 1953) is an American diplomat and former ambassador to five nations in Oceania. She served concurrently as the ambassador to Fiji,Kiribati,Nauru,Tonga,and Tuvalu,while in residence in Suva,Fiji. [1]
Cefkin was born in New York to Rose (née) Mackanick and John Leo Cefkin. [2] She grew up in Ft. Collins,Colorado,where her father was a professor of political science at Colorado State University. [3] Cefkin attended Smith College,where she earned a B.A. in government in 1975. She then studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science,earning a master's degree in International Relations in 1977.
After completing graduate studies,Cefkin became a television news producer. [4] She worked as a legislative intern in Washington,D.C. and also worked in the Office of Technology Assessment for Congress.
In 1983 Cefkin embarked on a career in the Foreign Service. Her assignments have included ones in Thailand,France,Mexico and The Philippines. She served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. [5]
She was nominated by President Barack Obama as ambassador to Fiji,Kiribati,Nauru,Tonga,and Tuvalu on July 9,2014. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on November 19,2014. [6] She presented her credentials in the five nations between February and August 2015,and served until February 25,2018. [7]
Cefkin is married to Paul Boyd,a foreign service officer who has also served as a police officer and member of the U.S. Special Forces. [8]
In addition to English she speaks French,Thai,Bosnian and Spanish. [9]
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Frankie Annette Reed is an American diplomat. She is currently the United States Consul-General in Melbourne. From 2011 to 2015 she was the United States Ambassador to Fiji,Kiribati,Nauru,Tonga,and Tuvalu. She has a BA in journalism from Howard University and a doctorate in law from the University of California,Berkeley.
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