see also: in June 2002:   West Texas/New Mexico Customs Officers Seize 5,279 Pounds of Marijuana This Week   Arizona Customs Officers Seize 3,246 Pounds of Marijuana This Week   World Customs Organization Adopts Elements of U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative to Protect, Enhance Global Trade   Le Havre Seaport Joins U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative Against Terrorism   U.S. Customs Cracks Money Laundering Ring That Moved Half A Billion Dollars in Eight Months   U.S. Customs Names New Chief of Staff   Seaport of Antwerp Joins U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative Against Terrorism ...more on cbp.gov:   Organization

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Washington, D.C.-U.S. Customs Commissioner Robert C. Bonner announced the appointment of Susan J. Rabern to fill the post of Assistant Commissioner of Finance. Rabern's appointment is effective immediately. She had been the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Assistant Director and Chief Financial Officer.

"We are extremely fortunate to bring Ms. Rabern on board at this critical moment in the agency's history," said Bonner. "Her track record in determining the financial needs of large organizations involved in great transformation is unequaled."

Rabern's stint with the FBI began in August 2000 when she was named Deputy Assistant Director of the Finance Division. She was later appointed as Assistant Director and Chief Financial Officer. In that capacity, she was responsible for developing the Bureau's financial plans associated with that agency's involvement in the investigations of the terrorist bombing of the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen and of the September 2001 attacks.

Prior to her work with the FBI, Ms. Rabern served in the United States Navy for 21 years. Among her military assignments, she served on the staff of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, developing plans for the Chairman on the funding, recruiting, and retention of the All Volunteer Force.

Ms. Rabern has masters degrees in business administration and national security affairs. Prior to her retirement from the Navy, she was assigned to the National Defense University where she specialized in research on the subject of U.S. assistance to the former Soviet Union. U.S. Customs is currently involved in a number of defense-related programs with Russia and several nations formerly included in the Soviet Union.

Ms. Rabern was born and raised in Kansas, and is a graduate of the University of Kansas. She joined the Navy and was commissioned in 1976. She is married to Col. David W. Rabern, U.S. Air Force. They reside in Arlington, Va.