11 February 2009

US Customs Commissioner Basham stepping down

This article is excerpted from the 11 February 2009 edition of “The Journal of Commerce”.

Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection W. Ralph Basham will step down at the end of February, the agency said today.

Deputy Commissioner Jayson Ahern will serve as acting commissioner beginning March 1….

… Basham announced his departure late Tuesday in a message to employees. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asked Basham to remain on the job during the change in administrations.

Basham told employees that the most critical period of the transition was now past.

Ahern will remain as acting commissioner until President Obama appoints Basham’s successor. … Napolitano has indicated she is talking with candidates, but is not ready to announce them publicly.