U.S. Customs & Border Protection Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

U.S. Customs & Border Protection has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, operations, and finance.

Driven by a mission to safeguard America's borders, U.S. Customs & Border Protection enforces hundreds of regulations, manages border security, and facilitates lawful trade and travel, maintaining a significant workforce across diverse divisions with a global presence.

Leadership Roles at U.S. Customs & Border Protection

  • Chief Executive Officer - Marshaun Whittaker
  • Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer & Owner - Robert Rosario
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Naomi Johnson
  • Chief Financial Officer - Jeffrey Caine
  • Chief of Staff - Cynthia Burdette
  • Deputy Chief of Staff - Wade Grim
  • Deputy Chief of Staff - Kristine King
  • Chief of Staff - NVC - Casie Antalis
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Acting, Air & Marine Operations - Allison Rivera
  • Acting Chief of Staff - Juan Estrella
  • Marshaun Whittaker - Chief Executive Officer

    Marshaun Whittaker, the Chief Executive Officer at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, directs the overarching strategy and operational execution for the federal government agency. This leadership role involves setting the vision for safeguarding America's borders and ensuring the efficient management of border security operations. Whittaker's responsibilities encompass driving the agency's mission to facilitate lawful trade and travel while rigorously enforcing immigration and customs laws. The Chief Executive Officer oversees the integration of various divisions, including operations, engineering, technology, legal, and security, to achieve comprehensive border protection. This executive guides the agency's efforts in maintaining a significant workforce and upholding its global presence across North America, Europe, and Asia. Marshaun Whittaker ensures alignment with national security objectives and the agency's commitment to protecting U.S. interests.

    Robert Rosario - Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer & Owner

    Robert Rosario, the Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer & Owner at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, spearheads both the strategic direction and the technological advancement of the agency. This dual role demands a comprehensive understanding of border security imperatives and the innovative application of technology to meet these challenges. Rosario directs the implementation of cutting-edge solutions across operations, engineering, and security divisions, ensuring the agency's technological infrastructure supports its mission of safeguarding America's borders. The Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer & Owner also oversees the enforcement of immigration and customs laws, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Robert Rosario's leadership ensures that U.S. Customs & Border Protection remains at the forefront of technological innovation in border management, facilitating lawful trade and travel while maintaining robust security protocols across its extensive domestic and international operations.
    Robert Rosario

    Naomi Johnson - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Naomi Johnson, the President & Chief Executive Officer at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, drives the agency's core mission of safeguarding America's borders. This executive leadership position involves setting the strategic agenda for border security, facilitating lawful trade and travel, and ensuring the stringent enforcement of immigration and customs laws. Johnson oversees the coordination of a vast workforce across operations, engineering, technology, legal, and security divisions, ensuring seamless integration of efforts. The President & Chief Executive Officer is responsible for maintaining the agency's significant operational presence throughout the United States and internationally. Naomi Johnson's role is critical in upholding the agency's commitment to national security and economic prosperity by managing border integrity effectively. This leadership ensures that U.S. Customs & Border Protection operates with maximum efficiency and adherence to regulatory frameworks.

    Jeffrey Caine - Chief Financial Officer

    Jeffrey Caine, the Chief Financial Officer at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, directs all financial operations and fiscal strategy for the federal government agency. This executive is responsible for managing the agency's budget, overseeing financial planning, and ensuring the responsible allocation of resources to support border security and facilitate lawful trade and travel. Caine's purview includes financial reporting, risk management, and the implementation of sound financial controls across all divisions, including operations, engineering, technology, legal, and security. The Chief Financial Officer plays a critical role in maintaining the agency's financial integrity and supporting its mission to safeguard America's borders. Jeffrey Caine ensures that financial decisions align with strategic objectives, contributing to the agency's operational effectiveness and its global presence.

    Cynthia Burdette - Chief of Staff

    Cynthia Burdette, the Chief of Staff at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, provides direct support and strategic counsel to the agency's senior leadership. This role involves managing the flow of information, coordinating key initiatives, and ensuring operational alignment across diverse departments, including operations, engineering, technology, legal, and security. Burdette's responsibilities extend to optimizing the efficiency of border security operations and facilitating lawful trade and travel. The Chief of Staff plays a crucial part in implementing the agency's mission to safeguard America's borders and enforce immigration and customs laws. Cynthia Burdette ensures that executive directives are translated into actionable plans, supporting the agency's significant workforce and its global presence. This position is vital for maintaining the agency's operational effectiveness and strategic focus.

    Wade Grim - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Wade Grim, the Deputy Chief of Staff at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, supports the Chief of Staff in managing the agency's strategic initiatives and operational coordination. This role involves assisting in the oversight of departments such as operations, engineering, technology, legal, and security, ensuring seamless execution of border security mandates. Grim contributes to the facilitation of lawful trade and travel by streamlining internal processes and enhancing communication channels. The Deputy Chief of Staff is instrumental in upholding the agency's mission to safeguard America's borders and enforce immigration and customs laws. Wade Grim works to ensure that executive priorities are effectively implemented, supporting the agency's significant workforce and its domestic and international operations. This position reinforces the agency's commitment to operational excellence.

    Kristine King - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Kristine King, the Deputy Chief of Staff at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, assists the Chief of Staff in overseeing critical agency operations and strategic planning. This executive supports the coordination of efforts across divisions including operations, engineering, technology, legal, and security, ensuring the effective safeguarding of America's borders. King's responsibilities include enhancing the facilitation of lawful trade and travel by optimizing interdepartmental collaboration and communication. The Deputy Chief of Staff plays a key part in the enforcement of immigration and customs laws, contributing to the agency's overall mission. Kristine King ensures that the agency's significant workforce is aligned with executive directives, supporting its extensive domestic and international presence. This role is vital for maintaining operational efficiency and strategic focus.

    Casie Antalis - Chief of Staff - NVC

    Casie Antalis, the Chief of Staff - NVC at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, leads strategic operations and administrative functions for the National Visa Center. This executive ensures the efficient processing of visa applications and supports the agency's broader mission of safeguarding America's borders. Antalis oversees coordination between NVC operations and other key divisions, including technology and legal departments, to facilitate lawful international travel and trade. The Chief of Staff - NVC plays a crucial role in enforcing immigration and customs regulations as they pertain to visa processing. Casie Antalis directs a dedicated team, ensuring adherence to policy and contributing to the agency's overall effectiveness in managing border security and national interests. This leadership ensures the integrity of the visa process.

    Allison Rivera - Deputy Chief of Staff, Acting, Air & Marine Operations

    Allison Rivera, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Acting, Air & Marine Operations at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, directs critical operational activities within the Air and Marine domain. This executive oversees the deployment and management of air and marine assets to enhance border security and interdict illicit activities. Rivera's responsibilities include ensuring the effective enforcement of immigration and customs laws through advanced aerial and maritime surveillance and interdiction strategies. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Acting, Air & Marine Operations works closely with other leadership to integrate these specialized operations with broader agency objectives, supporting the facilitation of lawful trade and travel. Allison Rivera's leadership is vital for maintaining the agency's capability to safeguard America's borders across vast operational areas.

    Juan Estrella - Acting Chief of Staff

    Juan Estrella, the Acting Chief of Staff at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, provides essential leadership and strategic direction during a transitional period. This executive supports the agency's core mission of safeguarding America's borders by ensuring operational continuity and effective coordination across departments. Estrella oversees key initiatives aimed at facilitating lawful trade and travel, while also reinforcing the enforcement of immigration and customs laws. The Acting Chief of Staff works to maintain high standards of performance within operations, engineering, technology, legal, and security divisions. Juan Estrella's role is critical in ensuring that the agency's significant workforce remains focused and aligned with national security objectives, supporting its extensive domestic and international presence. This leadership ensures sustained operational effectiveness.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding U.S. Customs & Border Protection Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads U.S. Customs & Border Protection?
    U.S. Customs & Border Protection is led by Marshaun Whittaker (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Robert Rosario (Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer & Owner) and Naomi Johnson (President & Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s executive team?
    The executive team of U.S. Customs & Border Protection includes leaders such as Marshaun Whittaker (Chief Executive Officer), Robert Rosario (Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer & Owner), Naomi Johnson (President & Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does U.S. Customs & Border Protection have?
    U.S. Customs & Border Protection has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of U.S. Customs & Border Protection includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer & Owner, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff.