Information on Mr.James A. Kuiken by Friends of James Kuiken
JAMES A. KUIKEN
Attaché, Baghdad and Country Director, Iraq
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Mr. Kuiken was appointed to his current position (SES) as the DHS Attaché, Baghdad and Country Director, Iraq in July 2005.
As Attaché, Mr. Kuiken is the senior DHS representative to Iraq, and assists the U.S. Government’s efforts to promote a stable and free Iraq capable of self-governance. As Country Director, Mr. Kuiken oversees all DHS personnel and efforts in Iraq.
Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Kuiken served with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as the Director for the National Incident Response Unit (NIRU). He led the effort to develop and implement the NIRU, which oversees all of the bureau’s efforts to prepare for, coordinate responses to, and recover from critical incidents such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other large scale or national emergencies. He also oversaw the ICE Tactical Communications Program, the ICE Operations Center, Continuity of Operations Plan and facilities, and other ICE emergency management programs. In addition, Mr. Kuiken represented ICE on the DHS Interagency Incident Management Group, which is instrumental in developing Courses of Action to advise the Secretary and President on responses to incidents of national significance.
Mr. Kuiken previously served in a variety of law enforcement and emergency response positions and locations at the state and local level, starting in 1977. He joined the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1988, and served as a Detention Officer, Border Patrol Agent, Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent, and HQ Senior Special Agent. In 2001, he transferred to the Department of Transportation, OIG, as the Mid-Atlantic States Regional Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC), and was later promoted to national Director of Policy, Training and Programs. In 2003 he transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, as Special Assistant to the Director of Operations. In 2004, Mr. Kuiken served as acting Assistant Director for the Office of Detention and Removal Operations, one of the largest law enforcement agencies within ICE, with over 4,000 employees and a 1.3 billion dollar annual budget.
Mr. Kuiken is also a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He initially enlisted for active duty in 1973, and then transitioned to the reserves in 1977. A recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart and numerous other awards, he is a highly decorated combat veteran of several campaigns. For his final assignment he was recalled to active duty and served as the active duty Sergeant Major for Marine Forces Pacific, the senior combatant command in the Marine Corps with over 79,000 Marines and sailors, encompassing two-thirds of the Marines’ combat forces. He was released from active duty and retired from the Marine Corps in 2003.
Mr. Kuiken is a two-time recipient of the Senatorial Medal of Freedom, each awarded by a unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate majority. He is also a graduate of the Executive Potential Program from the USDA Graduate School, and is currently attending the Executive Masters Program at American University, where he is scheduled to complete his MPA in 2006.
Attaché, Baghdad and Country Director, Iraq
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Mr. Kuiken was appointed to his current position (SES) as the DHS Attaché, Baghdad and Country Director, Iraq in July 2005.
As Attaché, Mr. Kuiken is the senior DHS representative to Iraq, and assists the U.S. Government’s efforts to promote a stable and free Iraq capable of self-governance. As Country Director, Mr. Kuiken oversees all DHS personnel and efforts in Iraq.
Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Kuiken served with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as the Director for the National Incident Response Unit (NIRU). He led the effort to develop and implement the NIRU, which oversees all of the bureau’s efforts to prepare for, coordinate responses to, and recover from critical incidents such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other large scale or national emergencies. He also oversaw the ICE Tactical Communications Program, the ICE Operations Center, Continuity of Operations Plan and facilities, and other ICE emergency management programs. In addition, Mr. Kuiken represented ICE on the DHS Interagency Incident Management Group, which is instrumental in developing Courses of Action to advise the Secretary and President on responses to incidents of national significance.
Mr. Kuiken previously served in a variety of law enforcement and emergency response positions and locations at the state and local level, starting in 1977. He joined the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1988, and served as a Detention Officer, Border Patrol Agent, Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent, and HQ Senior Special Agent. In 2001, he transferred to the Department of Transportation, OIG, as the Mid-Atlantic States Regional Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC), and was later promoted to national Director of Policy, Training and Programs. In 2003 he transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, as Special Assistant to the Director of Operations. In 2004, Mr. Kuiken served as acting Assistant Director for the Office of Detention and Removal Operations, one of the largest law enforcement agencies within ICE, with over 4,000 employees and a 1.3 billion dollar annual budget.
Mr. Kuiken is also a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He initially enlisted for active duty in 1973, and then transitioned to the reserves in 1977. A recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart and numerous other awards, he is a highly decorated combat veteran of several campaigns. For his final assignment he was recalled to active duty and served as the active duty Sergeant Major for Marine Forces Pacific, the senior combatant command in the Marine Corps with over 79,000 Marines and sailors, encompassing two-thirds of the Marines’ combat forces. He was released from active duty and retired from the Marine Corps in 2003.
Mr. Kuiken is a two-time recipient of the Senatorial Medal of Freedom, each awarded by a unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate majority. He is also a graduate of the Executive Potential Program from the USDA Graduate School, and is currently attending the Executive Masters Program at American University, where he is scheduled to complete his MPA in 2006.
posted by James A. Kuiken | 2:26 PM
