Donald Kusser

Mr. Kusser began his federal career with the U.S. Customs Service in 1991 and previously served in the SES position of Port Director at the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport, the largest seaport operation in the United States responsible for processing nearly 40 percent of the nation’s sea cargo. As Port Director, he led an enforcement strategy resulting in increased outbound narcotics seizures, coastal smuggling interdictions, and more than $1 billion in counterfeit goods and 1 million pounds of prohibited agriculture products seized annually. He also led the creation of the Counter-Network Threat Analysis Team to identify and disrupt transnational criminal organizations at the seaport. Mr. Kusser was appointed to the SES in 2018 as the Port Director at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), overseeing the processing of more than 23 million air passengers and 4 million cargo shipments annually. He initiated the creation of the first air cargo Centralized Examination Station and enhanced CBP’s ability to respond to active shooter events through establishment of the LAX Tactical Enforcement Officer program. Mr. Kusser served in numerous CBP leadership roles from 2001 to 2018 and as a Program Officer at U.S. Customs Headquarters in Washington, D.C. from 1999-2001. He began his career as a Customs Inspector in San Ysidro, California from 1994 to 1999. Mr. Kusser earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executive Fellows and Senior Managers in Government programs.