Title

Company

Bio
Executive Director, Laboratories & Scientific Services
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
B.S., Queens College
Harvard University, Senior Executive Fellowship, November 2001
Senior Executive Service, United States of America, May 2002

Currently, as Executive Director, Ira Reese is responsible for the management of 11 government facilities consisting of laboratories, border monitoring and response facilities and an administrative/management center. These facilities house 14 mobile operational units and 260 CBRN scientists, forensic chemists and scientists, trade scientists and crime scene investigators. Having statutory border authority Mr. Reese is responsible for the direction of forensic and scientific assets related to the interdiction and investigation of weapons of mass destruction at the U.S. border. He is also responsible for directing these assets with regard to trade enforcement, forensics analysis and crime scene investigation.

Mr. Reese is currently the United States Administration Representative to the Scientific Sub-Committee of the World Customs Organization where he has served as the Vice-Chairman since 1999 and was elected Chairman in 2004. He continues to serve in this capacity. In these positions Mr. Reese has pressed for more vigilance with regard to dual use materials and equipment, and narcotics pre-cursors. From 1993 until 1996 Mr. Reese was attached to the United States Trade Representative as a technical negotiator for the GATT Pharmaceuticals Treaty that was signed in 1996. Mr. Reese continues to work in regularly updating this treaty and in its implementation in the United States.

Mr. Reese has merged his world-renowned expertise in the movement of bulk merchandise by tanker, pipeline, truck, freighter, etc with his organization's expertise in CBRN to develop cutting edge border radiation response mechanisms. As a leading Customs executive at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, U.S.A. he was responsible for directing aircraft security teams at the 6 airports servicing those Olympic Games. Mr. Reese continues his work in securing border crossings, seaports and airports around the world and in rapid response to possible terrorist incidents and crime scene investigations.

Awards:
“World Customs Organization Secretary General Award” for
Service to the International Trade Community – 1998

“2001 Commissioner’s Award” for Courtroom Testimony in a major trade case

“2002 Commissioner’s Citation” for service during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games

“Albert Gallatin Award” for career service rendered to the
Department of the Treasury - 2003