Mike Hajjar
**** **** ******, ********, ** ***** • 313-***-****. 313-***-****
E-Mail: ******.****@*****.*** • **********@*****.***
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATION:
• US Citizen with a Secret Security Clearance.
• Expert on Iraqi cultural, religious, economic and political affairs.
• Excellent level of contacts throughout the Middle East, Iraq, and in particular Southern Iraq where answering an RFI is a phone call away.
• Understanding of U.S policy in Iraq built on years of working with US Forces and the US State Department in Iraq.
• Experienced leader and manager of Local National Advisors and has the ability to inspire loyalty, respect, and integrity out of his subordinates.
• Team player with the demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team-based environment.
• Fluent in translating the Iraqi dialect, both verbal and written, into English and vice versa.
• Arabic linguist with college level English
• Experienced in using SIPRNET, NIPRNET, Harmony Translation Local Area Network (TRANSLAN), and assorted Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and Power Point).
• Exceptional analytical and reasoning skills.
• Experienced Mechanical Engineer.
• CRC qualified and current.
• Numerous awards and letters of recommendations for service and performance.
EDUCATION
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering May 1988 University of Technology, Baghdad University
• Lincoln Community College Computer Science 1995-1998
• Washtenaw Community College Computer Science 1998-2000
• Defense Intelligence Agency Interrogation Course April 2004
• Defense Intelligence Agency Translation Course August 2004
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
AECOM
Iraqi Advisor October 2008 – November 2011
• Works in close coordination with supported unit command and staff, and Multifunctional Team Military Analyst partner.
• Assists and advises military staff and commanders on the hearts and minds of the local Iraqi populace; perceptions, attitudes and opinions of the Iraqi people with respect to the actions of the GOI, ISF, USF Iraq, and Insurgent Groups.
• Manages 15+ Local National Advisors (LNAs), recruits LNA’s, trains LNA’s, mentors and supervises their work.
• Collects reports from LNA’s via personal meets, cell phone communications, and internet when possible.
• Translates reports from Arabic to English.
• Assists MA in making final reports for submission to supported units and Operations Center for appropriate distribution through Division level to CENTCOM effects, information and intelligence sections.
• Arranges Key Leader Engagements between supported unit leaders and community leaders.
• Answers Requests For Information (RFI) from supported units.
• Translates LNA reports on incidents as they happen for submission to the supported units.
Torres Advanced Enterprise Solution
(PRT Advisor) January 2008- October 2008
• Establish and maintain good relationships and coordination with Iraqi government (local and provincial) officials, community, military, NGO, other international donor leaders, and other USAID officers in neighboring governorate PRTs.
• Actively explain the development leadership role of USAID in the PRT
• Interact with USAID program implementers in the area, speaking for mission management as needed
• Report on local economic and political activities that would benefit from development focus
OSS
(BBA) Iraqi Cultural Advisor on Media Affairs July 2007-January 2008
• Help formulate and implement Psychological Operations (PsyOp) policy.
• Analyze news material and ascertain suitability for target audience.
• Monitor, edit, format and reformat radio programming.
• Edit broadcast material and verify faithful translation to target language (Arabic).
• Supervise broadcasting activity and ensure adherence to PsyOp policy.
• Examine and correct preparatory translations for command review (To English).
OSS
(BBA) Iraqi Cultural Advisor September 2006- June 2007
• Promote intra-institutional engagement between the Governor's Office, Provincial Council, local councils, tribal leaders, constituents, and the Government of Iraq
• Provide advice and guidance, present briefings and conduct meetings with released Iraqi detainees
• Provide analysis and recommendations regarding Iraqi social, cultural and religious affairs
• Provide a variety of technical and advisory services in support of the U.S. Mission in Iraq
• Act as a facilitator at the meeting between the US military and the Iraqi detainees
• Assist and defuse tensions between the detainees and the US military guards
• Identifying foreign nationals among Iraqi detainees
• Working together with the CI personnel to gather intelligence information to support (Operation Iraqi Freedom)
• Helping the Iraqi Correction Office (ICO) to communicate with the US Army
McNeil Technologies June 2005 – August 2006
Arabic Linguist, Baghdad Iraq
• Identify and translate items of counterintelligence (CI) value, acquired from former Iraqi regime intelligence and security service documents, for the Counterintelligence (CI) Document Exploitation (DOCEX) Section, Joint DOCEX Center – Baghdad
• Translate, transliterate, and function as a subject matter expert on acquired Arabic data, of CI value, to assist CI analysts/writers in extrapolating relevant intelligence
• Write accurate and comprehensive CI Summaries based on knowledge of the CI DOCEX mission and national guidelines regarding Specific Limiting Criteria
• Evaluate, assess, and determine information appropriate for release into the National Level Harmony Database and/or of value as Intelligence Information Reports (IIR)
• Coordinate with analysts to explain information taken from captured materials and focus exploitation efforts; translate captured materials as required
• Write intelligence summaries on captured materials for review by the local leadership and intelligence community analysts
SMI Group Incorporated August 2004 – May 2005
• Trained soldiers scheduled for deployment on Iraqi culture, customs, language, and expected behavior, from both soldiers and indigenous Iraqis
• Developed, portrayed, and critiqued the appropriate conduct and social interaction required from soldiers and what they could expect in Iraq from Iraqis
al-Wafi Translation Company (Michigan) 1997-2001
• Translated and transliterated Arabic written documents and papers, to include personal papers and official documents (i.e. passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, legal documents, etc.) into English
• Translated from English into Arabic and Arabic into English to facilitate the understanding and integration of new coming Arabic families into American society
UN Liaison Office - Rafha Refugee Camp (Saudi Arabia) May 1991 – April 1995
• Arabic translator assigned to the United Nations Liaison Office; translated for Iraqi refugees seeking asylum
• Conducted over 1,500 United Nations and governmental interviews for Iraqi’s seeking political asylum
Wafiq Engineering Company (as-Samawa Iraq) 1980 - 1991
• Repaired and restored over 150 V-6 and V-8 engines
• Efficiently and expeditiously installed engine computer analysis equipment
• Diagnosed engine problems on late model cars