Background
II, Benjamin Ray Justesen, was born on June 13, 1949 in Dunn, North Carolina, United States. Son of Wayne Quay and Elizabeth Justesen.
II, Benjamin Ray Justesen, was born on June 13, 1949 in Dunn, North Carolina, United States. Son of Wayne Quay and Elizabeth Justesen.
Bachelor in English Literature and American History, University North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1974. Postgraduate, University North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1983. Postgraduate, North Carolina State University, 1980.
Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies, Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, 2009.
Editor Brunswick Beacon, Shallotte, North Carolina, 1971—1972. Reporter News Reporter, Whiteville, 1972—1973, Sanford Herald, 1973—1974, Fayetteville Observer, 1974—1975. Vice president, general manager Bragg Office Supply Inc., 1975—1981.
Graduate instructor school journalism University North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1981—1983. Commissioned foreign service officer United States Department State, Washington, 1983—1997. Consular officer American Embassy, Kingston, Jamaica, 1983—1985, general services officer Copenhagen, 1985—1987, administrative officer Paramaribo, Suriname, 1989—1990.
Press. officer public affairs bureau United States Department State, Washington, 1987—1989. Regional personnel officer American Embassy, Singapore, 1991—1992, administrative officer Riga, Latvia, 1992—1993. Russian operations officer nuclear risk reduction center United States Department State, Washington, 1994—1996, international relations officer, 1996—1997.
Freelance writer, editor, since 1997. Journalist North Carolina, 1971—1975. Special project director General Educational Development Testing Service, Washington, 2001—2004.
Special projects director General Educational Development Testing Service American Council Education, 2001—2004. Carter G. Woodson distinguished lecturer Journal African American History, since 2003.
Active Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee, 1994—1997, chairman, 1995—1996. Member of Phoenix History Society, University North Carolina Alumni Association (life).
Married Helen Thomas Pridgen, June 30, 1973 (divorced 1982). 1 child Fredrika Elizabeth. Married Margaret Rose Cadien, January 5, 1985.