Ahern named new CBP deputy

Ahern named new CBP deputy Jayson Ahern was promoted to deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, effective in August upon the retirement of current deputy Deborah Spero, the agency said Friday.
   Ahern is assistant commissioner for field operations overseeing implementation of security programs and enforcement of travel and trade regulations.
   'Since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Jay has had a pivotal role in shaping the identity of our new agency,' said Commissioner Ralph Basham, who appointed Ahern to the new post. 'I have the utmost confidence in his leadership.”
   Ahern, a 30-year CBP veteran who started his career in San Diego, Calif., manages an operating budget of $2.5 billion, directs the activities of more than 24,000 employees and oversees 20 Field Operations offices, 326 ports of entry, 50 operational Container Security Initiative ports worldwide and 15 pre-clearance stations in Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean.
   In his new role, Ahern will manage daily operations of the 42,000-member agency. Ahern has also completed two earlier tours of duty at CBP headquarters where he was the director of the Anti-Smuggling Division and senior advisor to the acting commissioner of customs, where he developed narcotics interdiction programs and initiatives throughout Latin America.
   President Bush recently conferred the rank of Distinguished Executive on Ahern for his managerial leadership.
   Spero announced her retirement earlier this week.