Judith Beth Cefkin
Judith Beth Cefkin (born in 1953) is a diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Fiji. She formerly served concurrently as 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.
Judith Beth Cefkin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 15th United States Ambassador to Fiji | |
| In office January 5, 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 January 5, 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 January 5, 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 January 5, 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 January 5, 2015 – February 25, 2018 | |
| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Frankie A. Reed |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Cella |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1953 (age 67–68) Colorado, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Paul Boyd |
| Alma mater | Smith College London School of Economics |
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 her 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
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 life
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
- Sen. Ted Cruz: GOP shouldn’t confirm any White House nominees next year The Washington Post, November 19, 2014
- The GOP’s filibuster question: Do we use the hammer or the velvet gloves? the Washington Post, November 19, 2014
- Judith Beth Cefkin: U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu U.S. Department of State, accessed March 28, 2016
- Rose Cefkin Obituary, Oct 8 2014
- U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru: Who Is Judith Cefkin? AllGov, accessed March 28, 2016
- New US ambassador visits newsroom The Fiji Times, February 17, 2015
- Marines drink cobra blood, eat insects in jungle survival drills in Thailand New York Daily News, February 13, 2012
- 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
- OUTGOING U.S. AMBASSADOR CONGRATULATES HER SUCCESSOR JUDITH CEFKIN The Jet Newspaper, November 20, 2014
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Judith Beth Cefkin. |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Frankie A. Reed |
United States Ambassador to Fiji 2015–2018 |
Succeeded by Michael B. Goldman Chargé d’Affaires ad interim |
