Trump names border security chief and veterans' affairs assistant secretary

By ANNA GIARITELLI • 3/30/17 7:57 PM

President Trump on Thursday evening announced three key administration posts, including a new director of the primary border security organization under the Department of Homeland Security.

Kevin McAleenan will be promoted from active commissioner and chief operating officer to commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The new CBP director is known for developing the Office of Antiterrorism following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He will manage the agency's 60,000 employees and oversee the execution of Trump's executive orders on immigration as related to the border.

Trump added John Ullyot as assistant secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs to replace Scott Blackburn, who has served as interim deputy secretary during the transition period and Trump's first two and a half months in office. Ullyot comes to the VA from Brighton Strategy Group, but worked as deputy communications director for the Trump campaign last summer. Previously, Ullyot oversaw communications for the Senate Armed Services and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees.

Mira Radielovic Ricardel was nominated as undersecretary of the Commerce Department's Export Administration. Ricardel will leave her post as special assistant to the president and associate director for presidential personnel to assist the White House from outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Ricardel had joined the White House from the Defense Department, where she serves as acting assistant secretary of Defense and principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense for International Security Policy.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tr...ticle/2618962#!

I'm not sure how I feel about Kevin McAleenan. Prior to his government service he was a practicing lawyer in California. Received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School. Was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of CBP by former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.

Kevin K. McAleenan, '98, Appointed Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Posted: October 28, 2014 - 9:55am

Original source:
http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/42814?c=border_security

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson and Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske announced on Monday the selection of Kevin K. McAleenan as the Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). McAleenan is an innovative, dynamic, and mission-driven leader with more than 20 years of border security, legal, and international experience.

McAleenan had served as the Acting Deputy Commissioner of CBP, an agency within the DHS since April 1, 2013. As such, McAleenan becomes the chief operating official of the 60,000-employee border agency. He had been instrumental in the development and implementation of a comprehensive anti-terrorism strategy related to border security.

http://www.law.uchicago.edu/alumni/a...customs-and-bo