Sunday, July 14, 2013
The next U.S. ambassador to the South American nation of Peru will be a Latin America specialist who has served in Lima before. Brian A. Nichols, who has been principal deputy assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs since May 2011, was tapped for the post by President Barack Obama on June 21, 2013. If confirmed by the Senate, Nichols would succeed Rose M. Likins, who has served in Lima since September 2010.
Born circa 1965, Nichols earned a B.S. at Tufts University in 1987 and joined the Foreign Service in 1989.
The first assignment Nichols received was to serve as a consular officer at the embassy in Lima, Peru, followed by service as a political officer at the embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador; as first secretary and deputy political counselor in Mexico City, Mexico, from 1998 to 2001; and as political counselor at the embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 2001 to 2004.
Back in Washington, Nichols served as director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs in the Department of State Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs from 2004 to 2007.
From August 2007 to July 2010, he served as deputy chief of mission at the embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
Starting in August 2010, Nichols served in the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), first as INL’s deputy assistant secretary and then, beginning May 25, 2011, as principal deputy assistant secretary.
Nichols is married to fellow Foreign Service Officer Geraldine Kam. They have two daughters.
Brian A. Nichols was confirmed by the United States Senate as Ambassador to the Republic of Perú on June 19, 2014.
Ambassador Nichols served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) from 2011-2013. In that capacity, he oversaw the full range of rule of law programs and counter-narcotics issues of the Department of State. Ambassador Nichols directed INL programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Europe, and Asia and led U.S. delegations to counter-narcotics and anti-crime fora. Prior to becoming Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, he served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in INL.
From August 2007 to July 2010, Ambassador Nichols served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. As Deputy Chief of Mission, he managed day-to-day U.S. diplomatic activities in Colombia including overseeing over $500 million in annual U.S. development assistance, rule of law and security assistance. Ambassador Nichols previously served as the Director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs, coordinating U.S. policy toward 14 Caribbean countries, including U.S. efforts to re-establish democratic governance in Haiti. He also served as Counselor for Political Affairs at the American Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia from 2001 to 2004. In Indonesia, he worked to assist the Indonesian government respond to the Bali bombing terrorist attack, strengthen rule of law institutions, and consolidate its democracy. He served as Deputy Political Counselor in Mexico City, and Political Officer in El Salvador. Ambassador Nichols began his Foreign Service career as a Consular Officer in Lima, Perú from 1989 to 1991.
Ambassador Nichols is the recipient of the 2011 Presidential Meritorious Service Award, six Superior Honor Awards, and multiple other Department of State awards. A native of Rhode Island, he is a graduate of Tufts University.
Ambassador Nichols served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) from 2011-2013. In that capacity, he oversaw the full range of rule of law programs and counter-narcotics issues of the Department of State. Ambassador Nichols directed INL programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Europe, and Asia and led U.S. delegations to counter-narcotics and anti-crime fora. Prior to becoming Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, he served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in INL.
From August 2007 to July 2010, Ambassador Nichols served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. As Deputy Chief of Mission, he managed day-to-day U.S. diplomatic activities in Colombia including overseeing over $500 million in annual U.S. development assistance, rule of law and security assistance. Ambassador Nichols previously served as the Director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs, coordinating U.S. policy toward 14 Caribbean countries, including U.S. efforts to re-establish democratic governance in Haiti. He also served as Counselor for Political Affairs at the American Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia from 2001 to 2004. In Indonesia, he worked to assist the Indonesian government respond to the Bali bombing terrorist attack, strengthen rule of law institutions, and consolidate its democracy. He served as Deputy Political Counselor in Mexico City, and Political Officer in El Salvador. Ambassador Nichols began his Foreign Service career as a Consular Officer in Lima, Perú from 1989 to 1991.
Ambassador Nichols is the recipient of the 2011 Presidential Meritorious Service Award, six Superior Honor Awards, and multiple other Department of State awards. A native of Rhode Island, he is a graduate of Tufts University.
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