Former Executive Director, Mission Support, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO)

Andy Brinton is the former Executive Director of Mission Support within CBP’s Office of Field Operations. In that role, he was the senior official responsible for all OFO financial management, human resources/staffing, labor relations, facilities management, logistics, information technology and operational support programs affecting over 30,000 personnel at 328 ports of entry worldwide. Mr. Brinton was also responsible for the formulation and management of a complex $5.7B operating budget comprised of appropriated and user fee funds and management oversight of 212,000 equipment, fleet and technology assets. Mr. Brinton served as CBP’s inaugural Lead Business Executive for the $7B Trade and Travel programming portfolio. He also managed CBP’s innovative reimbursable services, user fee facility and donation acceptance programs, securing $150M in planned infrastructure donations and over $80M in staffing reimbursements. During Mr. Brinton’s s tenure, OFO increased net on-board staffing by over 1200 CBP officers through focused recruitment and innovative hiring and staffing strategies, greatly enhancing operational capabilities and enforcement results.

Now as a Director at Grant Thornton, Mr. Brinton advises clients on a broad range of defense and homeland security matters including border and transportation security, acquisition, e-commerce, logistics/supply chain management, strategic planning, facilities and infrastructure, technology deployment, human capital, manpower/staffing, and financial management.

With more than more than 30 years of Federal Government, Mr. Brinton also served in a number of key leadership and management positions throughout his government career.

 

In CBP, he served as Assistant Director, Field Operations (Mission Support) in San Diego was the senior official responsible for all budgetary, human capital, training, logistics, procurement, security, asset management, health/safety, and administrative support activities for a 2300-person law enforcement organization located at six major ports of entry on the US/Mexico border. In that role, he also served as the lead CBP negotiator and delivery agent for the Cross Border Xpress, a public/private venture bridge/terminal on U.S. Mexico border and the lead executive responsible for CBP planning, design and construction of the largest port of entry in the western hemisphere (San Ysidro, CA). During this time, he also authored the RP3 efficiency report that recommended strategies to return 1400 frontline personnel to inspectional/law enforcement duties and save CBP over $80M per year.

 

As the Acting Executive Director of CBP’s Office of Strategic Integration, he led the development of the agency’s mission support integration strategy and development of the 20/20 Strategic Vision for the Commissioner.

 

In the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Mr. Brinton served as the Director, DCMA Virginia where he was the first civilian to run a Major Field Command for DCMA, In that role, he responsible for the performance of a 325-person organization administering over 47,000 contracts worth $47B and supporting 10 Acquisition Category (ACAT) programs. He also held positons in DCMA as the agency’s Director Organization and Administration and Staff Director for Plans and Policy.

 

As the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Assistant Federal Security Director (Operations) in Fort Myers, Florida, Mr. Brinton was the senior manager responsible for all operational support activities for a 400-person organization. He successfully met congressionally mandated passenger and baggage screening deadlines necessary to federalize two airports after 9/11.

 

Mr. Brinton also held civilian positions in Department of Defense (DoD) systems acquisition, contract management, quality assurance and program management with Department of the Army, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and DCMA. Major programs he supported included the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, CH-47D helicopter, Apache Helicopter, C-17 aircraft, Tomahawk Cruise Missile, Stinger Shoulder Launched Missile, Advanced Cruise Missile, Contingency Satellite Configuration Control Element, Washington-to-Moscow Hotline and numerous classified defense programs.

 

Mr. Brinton also deployed with FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, supporting relief efforts in South Texas.

 

Mr. Brinton received his MBA in International Business from St. Joseph’s University and a BS, Business Administration, from Millersville University. His certifications include Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III in Program Management and Quality Assurance. He has also attended various senior executive programs including the CBP Leadership Institute; Harvard Senior Managers in Government; and Harvard Senior Executive Fellows. His decorated career included receiving the CBP Commissioner’s Award: Best Practices, Efficiency, and Innovation; CBP Unit Citation; DCMA Meritorious Civilian Award; and the DLA Superior Civilian Service Medal.