Meet Ahmed
From Civil War to Civil Servant
Ahmed Hussein has had an inspiring journey to US citizenship, driven by determination, hard work and a can-do attitude. With a Master’s degree and over 22 years of successful leadership and management experience in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Ahmed is now motivated to give back to the community that supported him by serving on the Fairfax County School Board.
Studies & Hard Work
Ahmed Hussein arrived in the United States in the early 80s to pursue higher education. After his homeland disintegrated in civil war Ahmed started on the path to U.S. citizenship and in pursuit of the American dream through education, determination, and commitment to hard work. With his can-do attitude, he worked in several occupations to make ends meet and to afford entry into his studies in colleges and universities.
In the early eighties, Ahmed decided that he wanted to live in Fairfax County. He graduated from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) with an Associates of Science in Civil Engineering. Later on, Ahmed was able to obtain an internship position with the Fairfax County Government in Land and Building Development. After six months, he got a permanent position with the County.
After working a series of jobs, all while raising a family, Ahmed was able to attend the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), where he obtained a Bachelors of Science (BSc) degree in Civil Engineering. Later on, he obtained a Master of Science (MSc) Engineering Management and System Security from George Washington University (GWU).
Giving Back
In addition, Ahmed took a leave of absence from the County and volunteered to serve four years as a linguist for the Department of Defense (DoD) during Operation Restore Hope. This operation, conducted by US troops, was to restore stability and address a severe famine in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Ahmed worked as a cybersecurity consultant with the Defense Information System Agency (DISA) in the DoD and ultimately joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where he has been successfully serving for over 22 years. Through the FAA, Ahmed has reached a senior level leadership and management position, where he has served with the FAA and Department of State (DoS) in several US Embassies across the world with his family.
Committed to Success
After returning to his home in Fairfax, Ahmed decided that he wanted to give back to Fairfax County, where he was first given an opportunity.
Ahmed has been engaged with the Boy Scouts of America as an active parent in five countries for the last 8 years. In support of his son and 7 other scouts, Ahmed and three other adults, traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico for 14 days of camping and hiking.
With two children in the Fairfax County Public School System (FCPS), Ahmed has an inherent interest in the success of FCPS. However, Ahmed’s commitment goes well beyond his personal interests. Ahmed has been involved with several highly academic American and International Schools in 5 countries, which has given him a wider perspective on the educational needs of our children. With this background and his organizational leadership and management skills, Ahmed is motivated to serve on the School Board and give back to the community that started him off on the path to success.