see also: in December 2005 Press Releases:   New SENTRI/Dedicated Commuter Lane to Open at Calexico/Mexicali Port of Entry Thursday   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Homicide Suspect   CBP Border Patrol Agent Saves Two Mexican Nationals From Drowning   U.S. Joins Revised World Customs Organization Convention   One Ton of Marijuana Seized at Nogales Port of Entry   Another Child Smuggling Arrest at Hidalgo Port   CBP Border Patrol Seizes Over a Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner, Debbie Spero announced the appointment of Kathy Conway as the new Attaché in Brussels, Belgium in support of CBP international border security operations.

“Ms. Conway will play a crucial role in carrying out the measures adopted by the European Union and U.S. Joint Customs Co-operation Committee (JCCC) in securing transatlantic trade between Europe and America and in furthering the development of global standards for supply chain security. Ms. Conway will also assist the World Customs Organization in the development of security standards for global worldwide Customs administrations and their business partners,” said Assistant Commissioner, E. Keith Thomson.

In addition, Ms. Conway will represent CBP at the World Customs Organization and the European Union (EU) and serve as a liaison with the host country’s government providing technical assistance, fostering secure trade practices, and strengthening border authority principles by country, region, and where feasible, multilaterally.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Conway served as the CBP Director of Cargo Verification, Office of Field Operations, and was the liaison with the Department of Homeland Security, and component agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard on cargo security and implementation of CBP cargo security across modes of transportation. In addition, Ms. Conway provided oversight to the successful completion of the Joint Air Cargo Security Study with counterparts from the Canadian Shared Border Agency and participated in a work group discussion with representatives from the EU on air cargo operations and security efforts.

Ms. Conway’s career began with legacy U.S. Customs Service from 1980 to 1993 as a Customs Inspector in Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY. From 1993 to 1997, she continued her career as a Customs Inspector at CBP headquarters in Washington, D.C. and was later assigned to the Office of International Affairs, Training and Assistance Branch. She served as Senior Program Analyst from 1997 to 2000. From 2000 to 2003, Ms. Conway was a Customs Inspector/Program Manager and later Field Operations liaison detailed to the newly created Office of Anti-Terrorism and became Program Manager for the Anti-Smuggling Division. From 2003 to 2005, Ms. Conway served as Director of the Interdiction and Security Division for maritime and air cargo within the Office of Field Operations, representing CBP on numerous inter agency and Department of Homeland Security working groups, addressing maritime and cargo security concerns.

Ms. Conway received an Associate Degree from Erie Community College and leadership certification from the Customs Leadership Institute, Columbia University. In addition, she received certification form George Washington University’s ESI International course on Project Management.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.