Deputy Commissioner Jayson P. Ahern was a keynote speaker and addressed the number one issue on attendees’ minds: Transition.

“As many of you heard Commissioner [W. Ralph] Basham say at our most recent Trade Symposium - and as I have continued to emphasize - CBP will stay the course,” Ahern told the gathering. “There will be continuity through transition. Our door will remain open to you. There will be no surprises. And, we will continue our close, two-way communication and partnership. We are working closely with the transition team so that this will be a smooth - and more importantly, safe - transition to new leadership.”

After touching on CBP’s many ongoing security initiatives in the maritime environment, the deputy commissioner reminded the audience that other areas required focus, such as improving efficiencies and decaying infrastructure at land border crossings. He reminded the audience that the Homeland Security Secretary-designate is from a strategic southwestern state and that she is very familiar with these border and infrastructure issues and CBP’s broader portfolio, which will be a great benefit for CBP, the trade community and the American people.

Looking ahead under the current economic conditions, Ahern said that CBP needed to work with the trade community to help make the business case for customs compliance and security. He said that the recent dialogue with CBP’s Commercial Operations Advisory Committee and other members of the trade community about CBP’s trade strategy may offer new opportunities for doing improvements.

Kevin Smith, a former COAC member who recently retired from GM, received the AAEI’s Trade Warrior Award. In accepting the award he thanked Deputy Commissioner Ahern and CBP leadership present and past for their meaningful and extensive partnership with the trade community that gave members of the trade the opportunity to have their views heard on issues. “While we may not always agree on the right answer, we always know it has been well-vetted,” Smith said.