Alvarez formally instated as port director for Laredo Port of Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Laredo Field Office underwent a change in leadership Tuesday, with a change of command ceremony taking place to formally instate Gregory Alvarez as port director for the Laredo Port of Entry.

Alvarez previously served as the area port director at the Blaine, Washington, Port of Entry from 2009 to 2015, and has worked with U.S Customs Services in various positions since 1998.

“Greg brings a diverse resume of management experience at both northern and southern border ports as well as experience with International Affairs in CBP HQ that helps bring a fresh perspective to a challenging post that is the tip of the spear with regard to enforcing narcotics, immigration, trade and agriculture law while facilitating more than $115 billion in lawful trade and travel,” Higgerson said. “He has shown his mettle in his first few months amid heavy peak travel periods and two major port construction projects and look forward to his plans to carry the port on to the next level.”

Alvarez’s duties as port director of the Laredo Port of Entry include overseeing a work force of more than 900 employees; managing operations and enforcement activities at four international bridges, one international airport and one rail crossing facility; and maintaining management and oversight responsibilities for processing more than 8.5 million travelers and $115.5 billion in trade annually.