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Irvin Hicks

Irvin Hicks Jr.'s term ended on August 31, 2022.

Irvin “Irv” Hicks Jr.joined the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs(INL) in September 2020 after serving as Senior Negotiator with the Bureau of Political-MilitaryAffairs’ Office of Security Negotiations and Agreements, and as theForeign Policy Advisor (POLAD) for the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn ofAfricabased in Djibouti.As POLAD, Mr. Hicksadvisedthe Commanding General (two-star)and his staff on foreign policy matters related to the command’s mission and activitiesin 12 countries throughout East Africa.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Hicksalsoservedas Deputy Chief of Mission for U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, Mauritania.   HisWashington, D.C. assignments include the Office of Management Policy, Right-sizing and Innovation, and the Africa Bureau where he served as a Management Counselor rover where he supported U.S. missions in West Africa engaged in the fight against the Ebola pandemic. Prior to joining the State Department, Mr. Hicks worked for several non-government agencies that included the AfricanAmerican Institute, Entrepreneurs International, and the U.S.-South African Leadership Exchange Program. He was alsoa corporate executive for General Motors’ Africa and Middle East Operations.Additionalassignments with the State Department includeGuinea, Nigeria, Brazil,Gabon, Sierra Leone, Mauritius , and Burundi.

Upon graduating from grade school in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and high school in Berlin, West Germany; Mr. Hicks received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University where he majored in International Affairs and African studies. Mr. Hicks also received a Masters of Arts degreein Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacyat Tufts University, and a Masters of Arts degree in National Security Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Proficient in French, Mr. Hickshas also studiedPortuguese, German, Arabic, Chinese , and Amharic.

Mr. Hicks’ Department of State awards include two Meritorious Service Increases, two Superior Honor Awards, the $10,000 ICASS Outstanding Leadership Award, and several Meritorious Honor awards.

Department of Defense awards include the Office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award.

Mr. Hicks is currently president of theThursday Luncheon Group(TLG), the Department’s oldest affinity group that advocates for the recruitment, advancement, retention, and empowerment of African-American and other under-represented Foreign and Civil Service Officers in support of the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

U.S. Department of State

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