His Excellency Gerald M. Zackios

Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United States of America

Biography

Ambassador Zackios is honored to serve as the Ambassador of the Marshall Islands to the United States. He presented his credentials to President Barack H. Obama on September 16, 2016. Prior to this appointment, he started his civil service in the Marshall Islands in 1985 when he was hired as the Fiscal Officer for the Department of Aging, in what was then the Ministry of Social Services (now the Ministry of Internal Affairs). He worked there for two years before returning to school.  He completed his Bachelor in Law degree in 1989 at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

Mr. Zackios returned after completion of his university studies to the RMI and was engaged as an Assistant Attorney General from 1990-1992. During this period, he also attended the IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta where he received a Masters of Law Degree in International Maritime Law in June 1992. Mr. Zackios was promoted to Deputy Attorney General following this accomplishment from 1992-1995, including serving as Acting Attorney General until his appointment as Permanent Attorney General in 1996.

Mr. Zackios served as Attorney General from 1996 until he won a seat in the Nitijela (Parliament) in November 1999 representing the people of Arno.  He was appointed to serve in President Note’s Cabinet, first as Minister in Assistance to the President (2000-2001) then as Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2007). Mr. Zackios served in the Nitijela until 2012 with his last  appointment as Vice Speaker of the Nitijela from September 2011 to January 2012.  During his tenure in the Nitijela, Mr. Zackios chaired and served on various Committees.  He was also the Chief Negotiator for the Compact of Free Association between the RMI and the United States during its renegotiations in 2001-2004.  He also served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Economic Management and Financial Accountability Committee (JEMFAC), and Vice Chairman of the Trust Fund Committee in 2003-2008.

Following an unsuccessful reelection bid to the Nitijela in November 2011, Mr. Zackios started his own law firm.  He practiced law from January 2012 until July 2013 when he assumed his post as the Regional Director for the Pacific Community (SPC) North Pacific Regional Office in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.  He held that post until his appointment as the RMI’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

Mr. Zackios is married to the former Viola Milne and together they have 9 children.  He is a member of numerous civil society organizations and served on many school Boards, including serving as a member on the Board of Regents of the College of the Marshall Islands and a Member of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (USP).  His hobbies include fishing, gardening, and sports (tennis and basketball).