Laredo, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Laredo Field Office bids adieu this week to Assistant Director, Field Operations Border Security Noel Sanchez at the conclusion of a 37-year federal career.
Assistant Director, Field Operations, Border Security Noel Sanchez
Sanchez officially retires at the start of January 2015. Laredo Field Office staff held a retirement luncheon in his honor this week.
“We will sincerely miss the experience, perspective and leadership that Noel has contributed to CBP and the nation over a 37-year federal career,” said Director, Field Operations David P. Higgerson, Laredo Field Office. “When I got to Laredo Port of Entry in April 1978, Noel was already here. His work as a Deputy Commander with South Texas Campaign, as port director in Hidalgo, Progreso and as Assistant Director, Field Operations (ADFO) reflect his leadership and ability to perform effectively in different environments. His work has helped improve border security in the South Texas region.”
ADFO Sanchez began his career with the former U.S. Customs Service in January 1978, advanced through the ranks and served as port director at Hidalgo and Progreso ports of entry and also as assistant port director at Laredo Port of Entry. He graduated from the Customs Leadership Institute at Columbia University in 2001 and is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Sanchez became ADFO, Border Security in late 2010. He served a 20-month stint as Deputy Commander of the South Texas Campaign, a new approach that involved a unity of effort among law enforcement agencies to direct resources to disrupt, degrade illicit criminal networks. He served a stint as interim DFO, Laredo Field Office before finishing his career as ADFO, Border Security.
ADFO Sanchez has been married for 35 years to his wife, Teresa and has two children.