Dennis McKenzie is the Deputy Executive Director, Cargo Conveyance & Security (CCS) within the Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Customs & Border Protection. He was promoted to that position on June 22, 2015. CCS is responsible for all the cargo release functions at the ports of entry throughout the United States. Providing daily oversight over seven (7) divisions that form the backbone of CBP’s cargo processes. These 7 divisions; Container Security Initiative (CSI), Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Trade Operations Division (TOD), Fines Penalties & Forfeitures (FP&F), Manifest and Conveyance Security (MCS), Cargo Security and Control (CSC) and the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) are complex in nature blending both enforcement and facilitation. As manager of these programs, I am responsible for ensuring a delicate balance between interdiction and regulation, while promoting trusted trader programs and ensuring facilitation of legitimate trade.
Prior to this assignment, Mr. McKenzie had been the Director, Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures Division, within OFO since October 2003. As the Director, he was responsible for oversight and policy initiation of all aspects of the Fines, Penalties and Forfeiture process to ensure proper management control and accountability of all seized property and penalties enforced by the law enforcement officers of CBP and ICE. These authorities encompass CBP’s Customs, Immigration and Agriculture enforcement missions. Mr. McKenzie was charged with providing oversight, reviewing national policies and procedures and coordinating policy changes and issuances across all disciplines within CBP with regard to the seized property program. Also, the Director is responsible for monitoring the funding and resources allocated for the seized property program, identifying deficiencies, and making recommendations to senior management on the overall direction of the seized property program. In addition, the Director serves as the process owner for the automated system (SEACATS) for tracking seized assets, seizure, penalty, liquidated damages, immigration fines activities, and all related revenue issues.
In addition, Mr. McKenzie served as the Director, Seized Property Systems within the Office of the Commissioner, of the U.S. Customs Service from August 2000 until September 2003. As the Director, Mr. McKenzie chaired the Commissioner’s Seized Narcotics/Property Task Force. The Seized Narcotics/Property Taskforce was a specialized interdisciplinary working group made up of senior staff members from the Office of Field Operations, Office of Investigations, Office of Internal Affairs, Office of Finance, and the Office of Information and Technology. The taskforce monitored all aspects of the Customs seized property program, developed strategies on major policy issues, and made recommendations to the Executive Oversight Board for Seized Property.
Mr. McKenzie started his career as an Import Specialist in November 1989 at Dulles International Airport. He also served as the Fines Penalties & Forfeitures Officer at Dulles prior to taking assignment with the Seized and Penalties Division at U.S. Customs Headquarters in March 1996.
Mr. McKenzie is a 1989 graduate of Frostburg State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science.
