Judith Beth Cefkin

Ambassador of the United States to Fiji

Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
Judith Beth Cefkin
since January 5, 2015
Nominator Barack Obama
Website U.S. Embassy - Suva

Judith Beth Cefkin (born in 1953) is a diplomat and United States Ambassador to Fiji. She is also concurrently the ambassador to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, while resident in Suva, Fiji. She was nominated by President Barack Obama[1] and confirmed by the Senate[2] on November 19, 2014.[3] Her term began January 5, 2015.

Early life and education

Cefkin was born in Colorado to Rose (née) Mackanick and John Leo Cefkin.[4] She grew up in Ft. Collins, where he father was a professor of political science at Colorado State University.[5] 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.

Career

Ambassador Judith Cefkin speaks as USNS Mercy arrives at Suva Port, Fiji

After completing graduate studies, Cefkin became a television news producer.[6] 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.[7]

Personal

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]

References

  1. ↑ Sen. Ted Cruz: GOP shouldn’t confirm any White House nominees next year The Washington Post, November 19, 2014
  2. ↑ The GOP’s filibuster question: Do we use the hammer or the velvet gloves? the Washington Post, November 19, 2014
  3. ↑ Judith Beth Cefkin: U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu U.S. Department of State, accessed March 28, 2016
  4. ↑ Rose Cefkin Obituary, Oct 8 2014
  5. ↑ U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru: Who Is Judith Cefkin? AllGov, accessed March 28, 2016
  6. ↑ New US ambassador visits newsroom The Fiji Times, February 17, 2015
  7. ↑ Marines drink cobra blood, eat insects in jungle survival drills in Thailand New York Daily News, February 13, 2012
  8. ↑ Testimony of Judith B. Cefkin Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu U.S. Senate, September 10, 2014
  9. ↑ OUTGOING U.S. AMBASSADOR CONGRATULATES HER SUCCESSOR JUDITH CEFKIN The Jet Newspaper, November 20, 2014
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