see also: in December 2003:   CBP Border Patrol Agents Increase Northern Border Security   CBP Seizes Cache of Narcotics Over Weekend   America's Frontline in Terror War Tightens Border: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Responds to Alert Level Orange   CBP Border Patrol Mourns the Loss of Their Fallen Hero   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $8.2 Million in Cocaine at World Trade Bridge   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Canine "Boyka" Retires After Five Years of Service at Eagle Pass Port of Entry ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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New York, NY- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner has formally appointed Ms. Kathleen M. Haage-Gaynor as CBP Area Director at Newark/New York Seaport Area. Ms. Haage-Gaynor had been serving as Interim Director, and has been overseeing the transition into the new agency, under The Department of Homeland Security, at one of the busiest ports in the United States.

Ms. Kathleen M. Haage-Gaynor, a native of Union, New Jersey, is a graduate of the Catholic University of America where she received her B.A. in International Law and Relations. She also attended New York University and earned a M.P.A. degree in Public Administration. In 1991, Ms. Haage-Gaynor attended the Program for Senior Managers at Harvard University.

Ms. Haage-Gaynor began her Customs career as a trainee Inspectress (later converted to Inspector) assigned to Newark, New Jersey. She subsequently worked at offices located at National Headquarters, Washington, D.C., Regional Headquarters, New York City, and Area Offices in both New York and Newark. From December 1987 through March 1990, Ms. Haage-Gaynor participated in the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program. During that time frame, she served in a variety of management positions at various Customs offices throughout the country including the National Finance Center and the Office of the Comptroller. Upon completion of that program, Ms. Haage-Gaynor was selected for the position of Area Director, Newark, New Jersey. In 1995, Ms. Haage-Gaynor was appointed the Area Director of the combined offices of Newark and New York, a position that oversees the day-to-day activities of 800 employees. In November 2003, Ms. Haage-Gaynor was selected as the Director, Customs and Border Protection for the Newark/New York Seaport Area. There are now more than 1,000 employees within this Department of Homeland Security Office.

As one of the first female Customs Inspectors assigned to the Port of Newark/New York, Ms. Haage-Gaynor remains a passionate supporter of EEO and Affirmative Action programs. In 1992, the Commissioner of Customs honored her for that commitment by presenting her with the National EEO Award. In 1994, she was twice named "Woman of the Year". The Ironbound Manufacturer’s Association applauded her initiatives to facilitate cargo clearance operations and the Federal Executive Board honored her work in making career opportunities available to females and minorities. In 1995, Vice President Gore's National Performance Review presented the Newark/New York Area with the Hammer Award, recognizing Ms. Haage-Gaynor's leadership of the Cargo Examination Task Force which provided the trade with a predictable level of service. In 1996, the National Performance Review again honored the Area's management for its coordination with other agencies, both public and private, in the development of Newark International Airport.

Ms. Haage-Gaynor has assumed a leadership role at the national level. She has served as a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel for Overtime Evaluation. She was the Chairperson of the Customs Service EEO Advisory Committee, a member of the Outbound Process Board of Directors, and the spokesperson and architect for the Leadership Evaluation, Assessment and Development Team which has recently won approval to revamp supervisory and managerial development. She has also served as a member of the Customs Leadership Board of Directors. During FY 2000, Ms. Haage-Gaynor was named the Chief Spokesperson for the Customs Service as the Agency negotiated its national contract with the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

In addition, Ms. Haage-Gaynor has served as the Customs Team Leader for the Interest Based Negotiations on the Automated Export System. This successful interaction with the private sector has resulted in the use of electronic transmissions for nearly 40% of export transactions. She has also participated in the Contract Administration Team at the national level. She was involved with the introduction of Alternate Work Schedules among the uniformed officers. Ms. Haage-Gaynor also was an active participant on Port Councils that were the framework for interaction with other Port of Entry. She facilitated the use of "Jump Teams" to support enforcement efforts at East Coast Ports of Entry.

Ms. Haage-Gaynor continues to participate in many administrative activities. She has served as a member of the national Disciplinary Review Board, a centralized effort to level the playing field for the administration of disciplinary actions. At the local level, Ms. Haage-Gaynor takes an active role to ensure the development of a diverse workforce. She specifically uses two alternate staffing methods to address the diversity issue:

1. Within the Newark/New York Area, Customs and Border Protection sponsors approximately fifteen (15) cooperative students. Working in partnership with local colleges, Ms. Haage-Gaynor seeks to introduce quality students into CBP. These candidates are assigned throughout the organization. The outcome is that upon graduation, nearly 90% of those students are converted to full time employees. Ms. Haage-Gaynor is also on the Board of Directors for Hudson County Community College's Criminal Justice Program.
2. Ms. Haage-Gaynor has also become involved in recruiting high school students recommended by the Jersey City Board of Education. This program, combined with the mentoring program with the New York City Board of Education, provides a network whereby younger students are introduced into the law enforcement agency.

Under Ms. Haage-Gaynor’s direction, CBP also sponsors an Explorer Post. This interaction with teenagers also provides a methodology for introducing them to the law enforcement arena. The Post is an active participant in many national conferences and has been acknowledged for its best practices.

Ms. Haage-Gaynor currently serves on the City-Wide Board of Directors for Explorer Scouts in Law Enforcement

Ms. Haage-Gaynor offers considerable time as a public speaker during Trade Outreach events. In recognition of her professionalism and expertise, she has been invited to serve on the Advisory Board for Global Change and Governance, at Rutgers University (Newark).

Throughout her career in the Senior Executive Service, Ms. Haage-Gaynor’s innovative leadership has been rewarded with pay level increases and special act awards. In 1997, Ms. Haage-Gaynor received the Meritorius Presidential Rank Award. In November 2002, N.J. BIZ Magazine named Ms. Haage-Gaynor as one of the twenty-five most influential women in New Jersey.

Ms. Haage-Gaynor is married to Raymond Gaynor and resides in Union, New Jersey. Her hobbies are travel, reading, and crewelwork.

Ms. Susan T. Mitchell, Director of Field Operations, NY, joined Commissioner Bonner in congratulating Ms. Haage-Gaynor on her recent selection as CBP Area Director. "Given her years of experience and expertise, I look forward to continuing to work with Ms. Haage-Gaynor and her staff; she is dedicated to the mission of protecting the citizens of the Untied States, and is highly effective in contributing to the development of the new CBP organization," Ms. Mitchell said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a new agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies Customs, Immigration and Agriculture inspectors, and the Border Patrol.