Qusi R. Al-Haj is the Special Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Washington D.C. He advises the Air Force’s senior civilian official charged with providing oversight and guidance for international policy and programs supporting national security objectives through politico-military affairs; security assistance programs; technology and information disclosure; education and training; cooperative research and development; management of the Air Force Foreign Liaison Office and attaché affairs.
Prior to assuming his current position, Mr. Al-Haj served as U.S. Senator John Thune’s (R-SD) Regional Director and Senior Aide from 2005 to 2017. He was responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations related to U.S. Senate business in 22 counties in Western South Dakota, and for developing and implementing policy objectives strategies and directing all activities and staff in the senator’s regional office.
Mr. Al-Haj’s support of the Air Force started prior to his federal service. As a businessman and political/civic leader, he was involved with Ellsworth Air Force Base for over 7 years as Honorary Commander and member of a task force dedicated to strengthening the installation and synchronizing advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal level. As a Congressional Aide, Ellsworth AFB was a top priority in his portfolio for 13 years. Participation in Air Force sponsored National Security Forums and visits to many installations offered him insight into the U.S. Air Force global role and related challenges.
EDUCATION
1983 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, University of Missouri, Rolla
1990 Masters of Science, Electrical Engineering /Digital Electronics Design, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1984-1986, Mandatory service in the Jordanian Army, Mutah, Jordan
1988-1989, Research and Development Engineer, Dakota Research Corp, Rapid City, S.D.
1989-1991, Systems Engineer, Tandy Corporation, Rapid City, S.D.
1990-1994, University Instructor, South Dakota State University, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
1991-2005, President / Owner, Micro solutions Computer Firm, Rapid City, S.D.
2000-2001, University Instructor, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, S.D.
2005-2017, United States senate, Regional Director and Senior Aide, United States Senator John Thune, Rapid City, S.D.
2017-present, Special Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Washington, D.C.
(Current as of January 2018)