U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Presidential Appointment - Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications & Acting Chief of Staff
August 2012 — Present
Serve at the pleasure of the President as a political appointee in national security arena. Active top secret security clearance. In coordination with the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Public Affairs, assist in developing and implementing strategic communications that give voice and texture to CBP’s work and serve to move the agency’s mission forward. Work closely with the entire Office of Public Affairs and CBP leadership and staff. Leading and developing ongoing proactive and reactive communications strategy and messaging for the influx of unaccompanied minors and adults with children across the Southwest border. Representing public affairs on interagency and intra-agency efforts to address this crisis. Acting in the capacity as Chief of Staff for the Office of Public Affairs with increasing responsibilities and coordination among program offices, leadership, and staff. Led and developed the communications strategy, messaging, and rollouts for the agency’s first-ever release of its use of force policy along with the initial policy and training changes resulting from external and internal reviews. Also, managed the reactive communications strategy and messaging associated with the use of force policy. Represented public affairs on agency wide working groups addressing the border security policy of comprehensive immigration reform legislation, sequestration, and the Commissioner’s confirmation. Developed and assisted with the messaging and strategy for high level communications announcements such as the I-94 automation, integrity and professionalism initiative, and unaccompanied minors public awareness campaign. Developed and refined the key messaging and talking points associated with key media issues such as border security, Supreme Court decision on Arizona SB 1070, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals administrative policy, consequence delivery system, and officer integrity and professionalism.