John Creamer assumed duties as Civilian Deputy to the Commander and Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. Southern Command, Miami, FL, in April 2015. As Civilian Deputy to the Commander, he is primarily responsible for overseeing the development and ongoing refinement of USSOUTHCOM regional strategy as well as the Command's strategic communications, public affairs and human rights activities. He also plays a key role in interagency and business engagement.

As Foreign Policy Advisor, he advises the Commander and other principals on U.S. foreign policy issues linked to the region and supports the Command's relationship with the Department of State and U.S. Embassies abroad.

Mr. Creamer came to SOUTHCOM after serving as Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2012-2015). His other overseas tours include service in Nicaragua, South Africa, Haiti, Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia, where he served as Charge d'Affairés. Mr. Creamer has also served in Washington, D.C. as Senior Desk Officer for Brazil, South Africa, and Colombia, Deputy Director of the Office of Andean Affairs, and Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Mr. Creamer is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor. He has been awarded the State Department's Superior Honor Award four times as well as numerous Group awards.

Before entering the U.S. Foreign Service in 1986, Mr. Creamer received a Bachelor's degree in Government from Georgetown University, as well as a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. He also holds a Masters in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University. In 1985, Mr. Creamer received a Fulbright Scholarship to Malaysia where he researched the legal aspects of economic integration within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Mr. Creamer is married and has four children.

(Current as of April 2015)