PRESIDIO, TEXAS -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Presidio Port Director Michael Neipert was sworn into office March 21 during a formal change of command ceremony. Family, friends, colleagues and local dignitaries attended the event at the Presidio Activity Center.
Neipert
The ceremony included the CBP Honor Guard posting the colors, the national anthem and remarks from El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. The ceremony also included the passing of the El Paso Field Office guidon from outgoing port director John Deputy to DFO Mancha and then to Mr. Neipert. After accepting the guidon Mr. Neipert was administered the CBP oath of office by DFO Mancha. The new Port Director then addressed the audience. The event concluded with refreshments including a specially decorated cake to commemorate the day.
“It is an honor to lead the men and women who are hard at work every day at the Presidio port of entry supporting our vital homeland security mission,” said CBP Presidio Port Director Michael Neipert. “CBP and the Presidio port of entry plays a vital role in securing our nation while also maintaining the flow of legitimate trade and travel in this part of the state.”
Mr. Neipert began his career with the CBP in 2007 at Miami International Airport as a CBP Agriculture Specialist where he worked diligently to protect American agriculture. He worked in both passenger and trade environments and was a field training officer. In 2010, Mr. Neipert transitioned to a CBP Officer. In this capacity he worked in both immigration and baggage control at one of the world’s busiest international airports. In 2012, Mr. Neipert participated in the Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats as an outbound enforcement officer in Nogales, Arizona.
In 2013, Mr. Neipert was promoted to Supervisory CBP Officer at the Calexico Port of Entry. As a supervisor he oversaw and assisted in the development of several newly hired officers. In 2014, he was promoted to Chief CBP Officer. As a Chief he oversaw day to day operations of the busy Calexico Port of Entry while continuing to develop young leaders within the agency. Mr. Neipert also participated as a subject matter expert on the use of automated passport control kiosks located in many major international airports. Aside from his background with the agency, Mr. Neipert earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Maryville University of St. Louis.
On February 21, 2017, Mr. Neipert assumed his current assignment as Port Director for the Presidio Port of Entry.
As the Presidio Port Director, Mr. Neipert directs operations and enforcement activities at the Presidio port of entry as well as provide oversight on the Boquillas international crossing located at the Big Bend National Park. He will oversee CBP employees at these locations including CBP officers, Agriculture Specialists, Canine Enforcement Officers, and other personnel working in other disciplines.
Mr. Neipert will work to ensure that the agency’s primary mission of preventing terrorists or weapons of terror from entering the United States is accomplished on a daily basis. Mr. Neipert is also responsible for all immigration issues related to the admission and exclusion of people applying for entry into the United States. He also is responsible for customs and agriculture inspections at the ports of entry to ensure that all goods and people entering the United States do so in accordance with our laws and regulations, while ensuring that they are facilitated in their processing to support the global market place and the international tourism industries.
CBP Field Operations in 2008 adopted formal change of command ceremonies as a way to unify the workforce and highlight the agency mission. Since its inception in March 2003, CBP has developed and implemented standards, policies and symbols to advance the internal and external recognition of the agency and to demonstrate the strides the agency has made as the guardians of the nation’s borders. The change of command ceremony is designed to meet those goals.