People: Customs' counter-terrorists

People: Customs' counter-terrorists

ksaldarini@govexec.com

Every Monday on GovExec.com, the People column announces the arrivals and departures of top federal managers and executives. To submit an announcement, e-mail it to ksaldarini@govexec.com or fax it to 202-739-8511.

Thanks to Diana M. Dean, Mark A. Johnson, Carmon D. Clem and Mike Chapman, all front-line U.S. Customs Inspectors, for helping thwart what appeared to be a terrorist attack planned for the holidays. The inspectors captured an Algerian crossing the border at Port Angeles, Wash., with bomb-making supplies in his car. Dean, Johnson, Clem and Chapman were honored last week at a ceremony at Customs' headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Joseph Leo is the new chief information officer at the Agriculture Department. Leo replaces Anne Reed, who will retire in February. Leo has served as deputy administrator for management for the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service for 15 years.

Hans Meeder has been named executive director of the 21st Century Workforce Commission. The 17-member group was created by Congress to find ways to help fill the estimated 400,000 available IT jobs in government and industry in the United States.

Arthur Brodsky has been named director of communications for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Brodsky covered the telecommunications industry for the newsletter Communications Daily for 16 years. In his new role, Brodsky will report to NTIA director Gregory Rohde, who is also assistant secretary of Commerce for communications and information.