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   Seaport of Antwerp Joins U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative Against Terrorism ...more

contacts for this news release

Washington, D.C.-U.S. Customs Commissioner Robert C. Bonner announced the selection of Andrew Maner as his Chief of Staff. Mr. Maner, who previously headed the U.S. Customs Office of Trade Relations, assumes his new position as Chief of Staff immediately. Until a search is complete, Eula Walden will act as acting director of Trade Relations. Ms. Walden who has served previously in this position will continue to report to Mr. Maner.

"As my principal advisor, Andrew Maner will assist in setting the overall strategic direction of the Customs Service," said Bonner. "I will rely heavily on his advice and on his leadership and oversight of major issues within the agency."

As the new Chief of Staff, Maner will advise the Commissioner on a variety of policy, security, trade and management issues. Besides serving as a key advisor, he will also be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Commissioner's office.

Prior to joining U.S. Customs, Maner served as Vice President of Development/Sales for ICG Commerce, an international supply chain services provider. Prior to his tenure at ICG Commerce, Maner was a partner of Aligne Inc., a technology consulting firm specializing in information technology, e-commerce initiatives and supply chain. Maner also worked in international marketing/communications at the Chicago Board of Trade.

Maner served in the first Bush administration in both the White House Office of Advance and later in the White House Press Office. He worked for former President Bush after he left the White House, serving as Director of Press and Political Affairs in the former president’s office in Houston. Maner also served as special assistant to the United Nations Envoy to Somalia in Mogadishu, Somalia, where he assisted with political and trade development.

Maner is a graduate of Purdue University and the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, where he earned an MBA. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, and is a member of the Chicago Economic Club.