Garza gets regional CBP field command

Garza gets regional CBP field command
   Gene Garza has been promoted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to director of field operations for the Laredo region in Texas, the agency said.
   Garza, the long-time port director of the Laredo port of entry, has served as interim regional director since the retirement of Letica Moran in January.
   The Laredo Field Office processes the largest amount of commercial traffic along the entire U.S.-Mexican border, with more than $104 billion in merchandise entering in fiscal year 2010 through the 23 crossings, six airports and one seaport which comprise the eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville, Texas to Del Rio, Texas. In addition, CBP officers processed nearly 84 million passengers, cars, railcars, trucks, buses, and pedestrians in the Laredo Field Office.
   As port director, Garza oversaw the largest U.S. inland port, managing more than 800 employees, four international bridges, one airport and a railroad bridge, with an annual budget of $12 million and with employees in Laredo, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Roma, Hidalgo-Pharr, and Brownsville/Los Indios.
   Garza has held numerous supervisory and management positions at the district and headquarters levels, including acting national canine program director and canine enforcement chief.