Thomson joins CBP vets at Sentinel consulting firm

Thomson joins CBP vets at Sentinel consulting firm E. Keith Thomson, former assistant commissioner for international affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has joined the Sentinel HS Group as a principal partner.
   The Vienna, Va.-based consulting firm was founded two years ago by former CBP official Brian Goebel. Last year the small firm hired Joshua Kussman, who specialized in immigration issues at CBP, as vice president.
   Sentinel said Thomson would lead its World Customs Organization practice, advising public and private sector clients on how to implement the organization’s global standards on supply chain security and customs modernization.
   About 130 governments have committed to adopt the WCO SAFE framework of standards, but many of them do not have the expertise, infrastructure or staff to design sophisticated risk-management and automated screening systems used by modern customs services in North America, Europe and Asia. Sentinel's practice will help governments assess their needs in terms of their trade volume and existing systems, and design cargo-processing systems that meet their import-export procedures and budgets.
   Thomson played a large role in coordinating the development and implementation of the WCO standards during his three-year tenure at CBP. Thomson quietly stepped down in September for health reasons, according to people who know him, but has continued to advise the agency as it works to amend the WCO SAFE framework and develop financial and technical assistance programs for customs administrations in developing nations.
   Thomson accompanied CBP Commissioner Ralph Basham to Chennai, India, in early December for the WCO's Policy Commission Meeting, CBP officials said.
   Thomson directed the Office of Trade Relations for 10 months prior to becoming assistant commissioner. In the private sector he served as chief executive officer of Fluor Corp. and was a senior manager for engineering conglomerate Bechtel Group.
   He will also provide public policy advice and government relations services related to homeland security issues at Sentinel.