Kimberly A. McClain

Dr. Kimberly A. McClain (born August 5, 1970) serves as Assistant Secretary for Congressional & Intergovernmental Relations at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She is the first African American woman ever hold this position.
Dr. McClain was confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations on December 19, 2022, and started her tenure on January 3, 2023. In this role, she serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and senior staff with respect to legislative affairs, congressional relations and policy matters affecting federal, state and local governments, and public and private interest groups. Dr. McClain is responsible for directing the Department’s activities with Congress, state, local, and municipal governments. This includes the development of the Department’s legislative priorities and collaborating with the Chief Financial Officer on the development of HUD’s budget.
From 2021 to 2023, prior to her Senate confirmation, served in the Biden–Harris Administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. In that role, she was responsible for advising the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on congressional and legislative matters, as well as, providing management and oversight of the Department’s congressional activities.
==Early life and education==
Dr. McClain was born and raisted in Rockford, IL U.S. in 1970. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1988. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (2000) in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas. She earned her Master of Science (2004) in Human Relations and International Business from Amberton University in Garland, Texas, and her Doctor of Philosophy (2009) in International Business from Northcentral University in Prescott, Arizona.
==Career==
A retired Air Force officer, Dr. McClain has more than 30 years of experience in cyber, defense acquisition, management, international security cooperation, and national security affairs across academia, government, military, non-profit, and private industry. She has served as a senior consultant to defense consulting firms in the areas of strategic communications, cyber security, defense, foreign relations, and intelligence. She has held numerous positions to include Senior Country Director for Latin America, United States Cyber Command (Phia, LLC), Director, Defense Senior Leader Development Program, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Senior Executive Communications Consultant for Accenture Federal Services, Risk Operations Manager with Capital One Financial Services and adjunct professor at Northcentral University teaching international business.
==Military Service==
From 1991 to 2021, Dr. McClain served across all levels of the Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force to include: 
* Senior International Cooperation Advisor, Counter Threat & International Cooperation, Joint Staff Strategic Plans & Policy (J-5), Office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (2018-2021)
* Interim Legislative Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Department of the Air Force (2017)
* Senior Country Director, Africa & Brazil, and Chief Air Force Reserve, International Affairs (Dual-hatted), Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Department of the Air Force (2014 – 2018)
* Defense Fellow, Center for Strategic Intelligence Research, National Intelligence University (2013-2014)
* Policy Advisor, Department of the Air Force Lessons Learned, Analysis and Assessment (2012-2013)
* Legislative Advisor, Department of the Air Force (2009 - 2012) 
* E-3 AWACS Instructor Senior Air Battle Manager, 970th Air Control Squadron, Department of the Air Force (2001-2009)
* Executive Officer to Commander, 457th Fighter Squadron, Department of the Air Force (2000-2001)
* Aircrew Life Support Specialist, Department of the Air Force (1991-2000)
==Awards and decorations==
Dr. McClain's personal decorations include:
* Air Force Commendation Medal
* Air Force Achievement Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* National Defense Service Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal 
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Meritorious Unit Award
* Air Force Longevity Service Award
* Air and Space Training Ribbon
==Personal==
Dr. McClain is married to Stephen McClain and has four children. She is a member of numerous community service and professional organizations to include:
* Chief
* Diversity in National Security Network
* Military Officers Association of America 
* Reserve Officers Association 
* Women in Cyber Security
* Women in Defense, A National Security Organization
* Women in Government Relations 
* National Intelligence University Alumni Association
* Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
* The Links Incorporated 
* Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated
Category:1970 births
Category:People from Rockford, Illinois
Category:University of Texas at Arlington alumni
Category:Amberton University alumni
Category:North Central University alumni
Category:Politicians