UNITED STATES | United States Ambassador designate to Jamaica arrives on Wednesday

The United States Ambassador designate and former New York Assemblyman Nick Perry, will assume his tour of duty as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica on May 11 2022.

Nick Perry who is the first natural born Jamaican to assume the post, is expected to arrive in Jamaica along with his family on Wednesday and will be met on arrival at the Norman Manley Airport by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Officials alongside members of the United States Embassy in Kingston.

It is further understood that the US Ambassador designate is expected to present his credentials to Governor General His Excellency Patrick Allen on Thursday.

Perry took the oath of office as US Ambassador to Jamaica today in a ceremony administered by  US Vice President Kamala Harris in her ceremonial office at the White House and surrounded by his family, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and members of the New York State Assembly.

I was so happy to help swear in Nick Perry as the Ambassador to Jamaica with @VP Harris—herself the daughter of a Jamaican immigrant.

The Senate confirmed him this March.

He's a true public servant. A Brooklynite. And the first-ever U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica born in Jamaica! pic.twitter.com/hbbDfH72Mz

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 9, 2022

Perry, a former New York State Assemblyman, was born in Jamaica and represented a predominantly Caribbean-American community in Brooklyn, including East Flatbush, Canarsie, and Brownsville and replaces Arizona businessman Donald Tapia.

According to Senator Chuck Schumer, his proposer, said “Perry has dedicated his life's work to serving his constituents in the 58th district, and has fostered many deep and lasting cultural, economic and political connections between the United States and Jamaica – and that experience will make him an outstanding ambassador.”

Born and raised in Jamaica, Perry who immigrated to the US in 1971, is an alumnus of Kingston College, a former employee of the Bustamante Industrial Trades Union– a U.S. Army veteran.

According to Schumer Perry “has a unique perspective and understanding of Jamaica that will benefit both the United States and Jamaica in their deep and abiding partnership. The bottom line is that there is no one better prepared to go 'Down Yard' and represent the United States of America than Nick Perry and I am very happy to have supported his nomination.”

Perry was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1992 to represent the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn and was reelected to serve his 15th consecutive term in November 2020.