Smith Officially Transitions to Office of International Trade Assistant Commissioner, Bell Named as Deputy

Brenda Smith officially took over as the head of the CBP Office of International Trade after a Oct. 6 transition ceremony at CBP headquarters. CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske administered an oath of office to Smith during the ceremony. Smith last month was announced as the next assistant commissioner, replacing Rich DiNucci, who had been in the role in an "acting" capacity (see 14091218). Kerlikowske also announced that Sandra Bell will be Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Office of International Trade. Bell was executive director of Regulations and Rulings at CBP since 2006, during which she handled "the customs rulings program, civil administrative enforcement programs, rulemaking and information law, and legal decisions relating to navigation and border security issues administered by CBP," according to a CBP bio.

Smith spoke of her family's history of public service and the personal role of international trade observed at the hardware store started by her great-grandfather in Maria Stein, Ohio, that has been both helped and hurt by trade. The store carries numerous necessities relied upon by the surrounding farms that come from distant countries but has also struggled to remain competitive, she said. "My passion for international trade comes from the potential to change people's quality of life through trade," she said. "From the poorest of the poor in far distant countries to those who live down the street from us." Smith said she and her colleagues going forward will be willing to take risks and try new things, collaborate with each other and the stakeholders, and allow for transparency.