Burdin Hickok, DBA is an international strategic management expert, political economist, and former U.S. diplomat with a long career in the global financial markets with bulge-bracket New York investment banks. Currently, Dr. Hickok is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of finance, economics, and international leadership and management at the NYU –School of Professional Studies and an adjunct faculty member of the Katz School at Yeshiva University. Dr. Hickok has acted as an editorial consultant to the Economist Intelligence Unit and been a guest contributor on CNBC providing timely insight into the growing crisis in the Middle East and the potential for disruptions to the global crude oil markets.
Dr. Hickok returned in April 2011, from a three-year appointment with the Department of State as the Economic Development Section Head and Senior Banking and Finance Advisor to the Government of Iraq in the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). In Iraq, PRTs were civilian-led diplomatic outposts that partnered with the U.S. military and Iraqi provincial governments to help create political progress and economic development in support of long-term stability for Iraq. In this contested province, he led a “whole of government” approach toward development including close cooperation with the efforts and professionals of the UN Assistance Mission Iraq (UNAMI). Mr. Hickok was the spokesperson for US development efforts in Kirkuk and regularly conducted economic briefings at the highest levels of the U.S. Government.
Dr. Hickok has over twenty years of experience in the fixed income, foreign currency, and commodities markets. He was Director of Fixed Income Research Services for Institutional Investor Magazine and co-managed the startup of Swiss Bank Corporation’s government securities sales desk. During his career in the global capital markets, Dr. Hickok held positions as an investment strategist and strategic client relationship manager developing portfolio optimization strategies with top New York Investment banks such as Bankers Trust, Swiss Bank Corporation, Bank of America, and ( lastly) Lehman Brothers. Dr. Hickok received his DBA from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.
I intend to offer occasional commentary and short articles on critical issues in international politics, the economy, and the major drivers in the financial markets. In addition to my personal experience, my comments are informed by the great minds of international thought such as Hans Morgenthau, Raymond Aron, Hedley Bull, and Reinhold Niebuhr. My economic and markets perspective is influenced by the classical thinkers of modern political economy such as Adam Smith, Karl Polanyi, Douglass C. North, Joseph Schumpeter, and Fredrick Hayek.
The world cannot be understood through politics or economics alone. Only when the constant interaction, interconnectedness, and influences that one has on the other are considered can we begin to understand the issues of today. Many are convinced that only democracy can ensure the survival of the world. Yet democracy cannot survive without a broad and deep middle class. History had shown that the middle class, more than any other strata of society, demands the freedoms afforded market economies and democratic governments.
I look forward to this exercise. Ultimately the value of this effort is in the eye of the reader.
Burdin Hickok, DBA
Disclaimer
This is my personal website and blog. The information I provide is on an as-is basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use. Nothing in my comments or opinions should be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instrument regulated by the SEC, FINRA, the CFTC, or any regulated exchange nor should they be considered investment advice.