R.G. Edmonson, Associate Editor | Jan 03, 2012 1:19PM EST
Alan Bersin, former head of the Customs and Border Protection, will assume a newly created post in the Department of Homeland Security after the Senate failed to confirm his appointment as Customs commissioner last month.
Bersin will be the assistant secretary of international affairs and chief diplomatic officer to “oversee the strategic development and execution of DHS’s international plans and policies,” said Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Napolitano swore in Deputy Commissioenr David Aguilar as acting Customs commissioner, and Thomas Winkowski, head of the Office of Field Operations, as acting deputy commissioner.
President Obama made Bersin a recess appointee to head Customs in March 2010 after the Senate Finance Committee refused to consider his nomination. Bersin announced on Dec. 22 that he would resign his post.
Bersin said he loved his job, and that being commissioner “made me a more capable leader and better manager.
“I’ve learned the tremendous capacities of the CBP work force to rise to any occasion, to adapt to any challenge and to honor their solemn vow to the citizens of this country,” Bersin said.
Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobinWash.