see also: in April 2002:   Congressmen Honor U.S. Customs Employees   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Hidalgo Seize $390,000 in Methamphetamine   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Laredo Arrest Iraqi Fugitive Wanted by FBI in Michigan   U.S. Customs Inspectors, Del Rio, Seize 2,591 Pounds of Cocaine - Largest U.S.-Mexico Border Coke Seizure in FY 2002 To Date   Customs Kids Join Parents on the Job as Part of "Bring Your Child To Work Day" Event   U.S. Customs Service Patrol Officers Seize 1,678 Pounds of Marijuana on Monday   Maryland Woman Arrested for Transporting Over 30,000 Pills ...more

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Washington, D.C. - U.S. Customs Service Commissioner Robert C. Bonner today announced that Douglas M. Browning will assume the position of Deputy Commissioner. Browning will replace Chuck Winwood who will retire from Customs effective May 3, 2002.

"During his 30 years of distinguished service at Customs, Chuck Winwood's commitment to this agency has been second to none," Bonner said.

Winwood started his career with U.S. Customs as an inspector in South Florida. Over the years, he has held a number of senior management positions, including Assistant Commissioner in three separate administrations, and Deputy Commissioner in two. In perhaps his most critical role, he served as the Acting Commissioner for a period of eight months until Commissioner Bonner's appointment on September 24, 2001.

"With his usual dedication, Chuck kept Customs on a steady course and in a position to deal with the despicable attacks of September 11," Bonner said.

As the new Deputy Commissioner, Browning will support the Commissioner in leading a complement of over 19,000 employees, providing direction for Customs day-to-day enforcement, trade, and passenger operations. This includes the enforcement of hundreds of laws and international agreements, the collection of over $20 billion annually in revenue, and the processing of more than 450 million persons entering the United States each year.

"I've been greatly impressed with Doug Browning's management skills. Doug's broad experience spanning so many different functions of the Customs Service will serve him well in his new position," Bonner said.

Browning has served Customs for over 25 years. He began his career with U.S. Customs in 1977 when he joined the Office of Regulations and Rulings in Washington, D.C. as a staff attorney. In 1979, he transferred to the Office of the Chief Counsel where he served as Assistant Regional Counsel in New Orleans (1979-1980) and in Baltimore (1980-1982). Browning also served as Senior Counsel for international enforcement in the Office of Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for a wide range of issues related to Customs international enforcement activities, bilateral and multilateral agreements, international organizations, and general matters related to Customs international programs. He was the District Director in Baltimore, Md., for one year where he was responsible for the administration of the laws and regulations enforced by the Customs Service.

He was appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Office of International Affairs on March 6, 1994. In this capacity, he was responsible for a staff of over 250 personnel, located in the United States and overseas. He has served on several national and international committees and task forces, and provided keynote speeches on behalf of U.S. Customs at many international conferences.

Immediately prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Browning had been the Acting Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Regulations and Rulings since August 20, 2001. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of service-wide programs, policies, and procedures pertaining to regulations and rulings issued by and affecting Customs. The Office monitors legal decisions, programs, and procedures, and issues decisions on matters related to claims, fines, penalties and forfeitures. It also issues rulings, legal determinations, and guidelines relating to classification and value of merchandise, carriers, drawback and bonds, entry, licensing, intellectual property rights, restricted merchandise, and disclosure law rulings.

Browning is the recipient of a Presidential Rank Award (1997), Treasury Meritorious Service Award, Customs Commissioner's Award, IRS Commissioner's Award, and was a member of the Customs Executive Team, which earned a Hammer Award from the Vice President under the National Performance Review.

Browning received his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, N.Y. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Fellows program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Browning lives in Maryland with his wife and daughter.