The Homeland Security Today awards annually recognize the people who devote their lives to protecting our people, our resources, and our way of life. From heroic efforts on duty to invaluable efforts behind the scenes, annually we gather to celebrate excellence, honor, and the daily successes of those working on the front lines and in a support capacity to ensure the safety of all Americans. We are proud to honor the following 2024 award recipients.
HOMELAND SECURITY PERSON OF THE YEAR
The GTSC Homeland Security Today Person of the Year is awarded to people who serve the homeland security mission in an exemplary fashion. These individuals have directly improved, executed, and/or engaged the proper people, agencies, or departments necessary to tangibly improve the nation’s prevention, protection, mitigation, or response capacity to make America safer.
PERSON OF THE YEAR – STATE
Major Frank Hooton, Commanding Officer, Texas Border Joint Operations Centers
Major Frank S. Hooton serves as the commanding officer for soldiers assigned to the Texas 
Border Joint Operations Centers, which oversee six border operations centers along the Texas border. In this role, Hooton has been a pivotal figure in advancing interagency intelligence sharing and collaborative efforts across a wide spectrum of security issues, including counter-terrorism, transnational criminal organization (TCO) activity, cybersecurity, undocumented immigration, and narcotics. His leadership has significantly enhanced cross-agency intelligence efforts, ensuring cohesive and proactive measures are in place to address the complex challenges at the border.
In the field of cybersecurity, Hooton has led research that achieved notable publication milestones. He guided a team of students whose findings were initially published by U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cyber Command and subsequently by Homeland Security Cyber Command, eventually contributing to the textbook Issues in Maritime Cyber Security. Hooton also personally briefed the USCG Commanding Admiral on highly sensitive intelligence findings that prompted policy-level changes implemented nationwide by the USCG the following day. As a recognized subject matter expert, Hooton has lectured on cybersecurity at the DHS Center of Excellence Maritime Security Center, sharing critical insights and advancing cybersecurity knowledge.
A dedicated leader within the military intelligence community, Hooton is the founding member of the Rio Grande Valley Military Intelligence Corps Association (MICA) chapter, serving as its president since its inception in 2017. His service and leadership have earned him multiple knighthoods, the National Infantry Association’s Order of Saint Maurice, the International Paratrooper Association’s Spartan Order, and the prestigious Knowlton Award from MICA.
MAJ Frank S. Hooton exemplifies the highest standards of moral character, military intelligence leadership, and law enforcement professionalism. His tireless commitment to national security and his influential role in intelligence have made him an invaluable asset to his country, setting a standard for excellence in service.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
The MVP award is given to an official or team that modernizes and improves the operations and performance of an agency, component, or division to increase capacity, speed delivery, use innovation and improve performance. These leaders also focus on the future – developing strategies and plans to address our constantly changing, dynamic threat environment.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – GLOBAL
Keith Hood, Deputy Assistant Director, Border Security Division, INTERPOL Washington
Keith Hood has driven significant advancements in international security by integrating 
INTERPOL’s criminal investigative data into the national law enforcement systems of vulnerable foreign partner countries as the Deputy Assistant Director of INTERPOL Washington’s Border Security Division and leader of Project TERMINUS.
Project TERMINUS seeks to identify, evaluate, and remediate information-sharing gaps that are impeding the ability of the partner countries’ law enforcement and border security authorities to detect and deter the illicit international travel of foreign terrorist fighters and transnational criminals. Hood has built a cohesive and highly effective team, implementing innovative solutions to combat illicit international travel and transnational crime. His strategic vision and ability to manage complex multinational engagements have been central to Project TERMINUS’s success, aligning each aspect of the initiative with U.S. national security interests and fostering collaboration across diverse teams, stakeholders, and nations.
One of Hood’s key achievements as a team leader was guiding the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to become the first African country to automate reporting of stolen and lost travel document data to INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database. Within two hours of activation, over 154,000 previously unreported records were uploaded—a milestone made possible by Hood’s leadership and his team’s virtual implementation of the solution, demonstrating his capability to navigate complex logistical challenges.
In 2022, Hood engaged with the Kyrgyz Republic, overseeing the deployment of a database application designed to handle more than 5 million records of stolen and lost travel documents. Within days, this system generated over 150,000 new records and uploaded 4 million historical records, securing the nation’s data management needs. This deployment exemplifies Hood’s leadership in tailoring solutions to meet the unique requirements of each country, underscoring his commitment to creating meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Hood also directed a successful Service Delivery Enclave deployment in Jakarta, Indonesia, where his team relocated TERMINUS-provided screening solutions to a centralized location, enabling 98% of travelers entering and exiting Indonesia to be screened against INTERPOL’s databases. This achievement highlights Hood’s capacity to lead his team in implementing impactful security measures that extend beyond borders, benefiting global security.
In Panama, Hood led his team to achieve a 30% increase in SLTD records within INTERPOL’s global database, adding nearly 50,000 records in collaboration with Panamanian authorities. This accomplishment not only reflects Hood’s technical acumen but also showcases his diplomatic leadership, as he established strong working relationships with Panamanian officials to enhance mutual security efforts.
Hood’s leadership extends to fostering global partnerships, evidenced by his organization of a multi-national law enforcement and border security workshop for ASEAN nations. This event, attended by senior representatives from eleven Southeast Asian countries, highlighted Project TERMINUS and initiated discussions about adopting the program’s solutions on a regional scale. His proactive outreach has expanded the program’s reach, engaging nations like Thailand, Cambodia, Benin, Vietnam, Colombia, and Egypt in future collaboration discussions.
Through his leadership, Hood has built a team that is not only technically proficient but also adaptable, resourceful, and mission driven. His ability to motivate and guide his team has resulted in critical advancements in international border security. Hood’s contributions to Project TERMINUS have set a new standard for international security cooperation, enhancing the operational capacities of partner nations and strengthening global security frameworks.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – GLOBAL
Nael Samha, Executive Director, Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Nael Samha has been a dedicated leader in national security for nearly two decades, 
championing the integration of advanced technology to achieve mission-critical results. His commitment to enhancing the secure and efficient transit of individuals and cargo across U.S. borders has had a profound impact on border operations and inter-agency coordination within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Throughout his career at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Nael has focused on optimizing the effectiveness of officers and agents, providing critical support for homeland security initiatives worldwide. His leadership has been instrumental in humanitarian deployments, including Iraqi Refugee processing in the Middle East, Operation Safe Return in Haiti, the Syrian Refugee process, Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the southwest border, Operation Allies Welcome, and recent efforts such as Operation Safe Landing and Uniting for Ukraine.
Since beginning his government service in 2007, Nael has led CBP’s technology-driven approach to border security. Over a decade as CBP’s Director of Passenger Systems and Biometrics, he served as the subject matter expert for passenger travel data and pioneered the deployment of the first government biometrics-enabled passenger systems, including the Traveler Verification Service (TVS). His forward-thinking approach has advanced CBP’s mission results through innovative technology solutions.
In January 2021, he became Acting Executive Director of the Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate (TASPD) and was officially appointed Executive Director in 2023. In this role, he oversees mission-critical systems processing billions of daily transactions, integrating data from over 80 sources, and supporting more than 50,000 users worldwide. Nael’s focus on cross-component technology and data optimization has transformed border security operations, enhancing CBP’s capacity to respond to surges in border activity with efficiency and compassion.
Under Nael’s leadership, TASPD has fundamentally reshaped CBP’s operations. His championing of the Unified Processing (UPRO) initiative—a groundbreaking cross-component technology solution for migrant processing surges—has accelerated intake, processing, and data sharing across DHS. UPRO combines previously separate systems used by the Office of Field Operations and Border Patrol into a scalable, modern cloud-based platform. CBP officers and agents now benefit from enhanced situational awareness and processing efficiencies, supported by advanced features like updated facial recognition and real-time National Targeting Center notifications for derogatory matches. As of July 2024, UPRO has processed 2.3 million individuals and saved 77,000 working hours, translating to more than $3 million in agency efficiencies.
The UPRO Mobile Intake initiative, led by Nael, has further streamlined the intake process by providing agents with mobile capabilities. In 2024 alone, Mobile Intake was used to process over one million encounters, saving approximately 33,000 labor hours. The adoption of Mobile Intake has surged from 12% at its 2022 launch to 87% today, underscoring its impact on improving processing efficiency across CBP.
Nael also leads the United for Ukraine (U4U) initiative, supporting national security and humanitarian efforts by developing an immigration hotlist, conducting continuous vetting of immigration requests, and tracking vetting statuses. As of August 2024, Nael’s team has processed over 289,000 immigration requests related to this initiative.
Nael Samha exemplifies the highest standards of service and dedication to national security, continually driving technological advancements that strengthen border security and enhance the operational effectiveness of CBP. His visionary leadership and commitment to innovation have established him as an invaluable asset to DHS and a key figure in the future of secure and efficient border management.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – DATA ADVANCEMENT
Michelle Zebrowski, Chief Data Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Under Michelle Zebrowski’s leadership, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has achieved transformative milestones in data governance and cybersecurity, setting a new 
standard for data management across the agency. Among her most impactful contributions is the development and publication of CBP’s first Data Governance Directive. This Directive establishes clear standards, roles, and responsibilities for data management in alignment with federal and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mandates, formalizing the Chief Data Officer role and creating a robust data governance board. Zebrowski’s initiative has laid a cohesive foundation for all CBP data initiatives, ensuring they are strategically structured and aligned.
Zebrowski also led the development of a Data Governance Framework that emphasizes a consistent approach to data management across stakeholders, structured around six guiding principles. This framework enhances CBP’s ability to accurately define, analyze, and utilize its data, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making agency-wide.
Her proactive approach enabled the creation of a detailed data inventory that now serves as the backbone for advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-sharing initiatives. Collaborating with over 20 offices and cataloging more than 800 datasets, Zebrowski developed comprehensive dashboards that offer in-depth insights into metadata and connect key stakeholders. Additionally, she has cataloged over 200 data-sharing agreements across CBP, developing a searchable dashboard that promotes transparency and facilitates effective data sharing across DHS components.
In cybersecurity, Zebrowski has championed the implementation of a zero-trust data framework, in line with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive 22-09. Her efforts in tagging, categorizing, and securing CBP’s datasets have been essential in safeguarding sensitive information across the agency’s vast network.
In the realm of AI, Zebrowski founded a Data Analytics Center of Excellence to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on AI and machine learning (ML) initiatives. Through her leadership, the Office of Information Technology developed an AI Strategy rooted in a solid governance framework, ensuring ethical and responsible use of AI. Her comprehensive inventory of AI use cases and her collaboration with the Chief AI Officer reflect her commitment to fostering innovation while enhancing CBP’s readiness for AI governance.
MOST INNOVATIVE CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE SECURITY
People around the nation are working to find creative and engaging ways to help the public understand and prepare for any eventuality. Educating the public about homeland priorities, threats, and vulnerabilities is a critical part of the security equation. The Most Innovative Campaign to Improve Security recognizes a federal, state, local, or private-sector campaign that has increased awareness and preparedness for a threat that requires the partnerships to mitigate and prevent physical or cyber attack, disaster preparedness, human trafficking, infrastructure protection, supply-chain security or any threat to the country.
Nadia Aman, Unified Processing Team, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Nadia Aman and the Unified Processing (UPRO) team at the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) have successfully deployed the Mobile Intake Application, a groundbreaking national security tool designed to streamline and enhance the identification process for U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents and Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers. This advanced application leverages photo and optical character recognition technology to provide near real-time identification during initial encounters, improving situational awareness, reducing manual data entry, and ensuring data consistency and integrity.
The Mobile Intake Application represents a significant advancement in agent and officer safety by enabling rapid identification of criminals and terrorists. Standardizing mission-critical processes with streamlined workflows, the tool has reduced intake processing times from 14 minutes to just 1.5 to 2 minutes per individual, significantly reducing custody-related risks. Since its deployment, the application has processed over 2.45 million individuals, saving more than 88,000 working hours—equivalent to 21.5 employees—and generating approximately $3 million in cost savings. The success of this application has inspired similar technological innovations across the DHS enterprise, encouraging other programs to adopt cutting-edge identification capabilities.
In addition to its operational efficiencies, the Mobile Intake Application has proven essential for rapid deployment during periods of high border activity, allowing surge forces to quickly establish processing capabilities. This tool is the initial phase of the broader Unified Processing System (UPRO), which will integrate and unify two major CBP systems into a single, advanced platform that enhances safety, efficiency, and consistency for agents and officers nationwide. The success of Mobile Intake underscores the DHS commitment to innovating in national security, making UPRO a critical step toward a unified, streamlined future for border security.
ACQUISITION EXCELLENCE
The Acquisition Excellence awards recognize a division, agency or effort that has improved the speed, efficiency, and effectiveness of the acquisition of technology, products or services that support the frontline missions of homeland security. Projects must demonstrate tangible benefits and improved efficiency in the acquisition process.
ACQUISISTION EXCELLENCE – FEDERAL
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Congressional BOT Team
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
procurement office faced considerable challenges with its internal review process for Congressional Notifications, which are required before awarding certain high-profile contracts. This process was labor-intensive, susceptible to human error, and involved coordination among multiple stakeholders. To address these issues, CBP’s Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) sought an innovative solution that would increase the quality, speed, and accuracy of these reviews while reducing the administrative burden on the acquisition workforce. The HCA also prioritized a solution that would be easy to implement and widely embraced by the workforce.
To drive this innovation, CBP’s HCA launched a crowdsourcing initiative through the DHS Procurement Innovation Lab’s (PIL) Idea Competition platform, soliciting ideas from CBP’s acquisition workforce. This initiative led to the development and implementation of a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bot specifically designed to streamline the Congressional Notification review process.
In February 2024, CBP launched the RPA bot, named “Sienna,” which quickly demonstrated its effectiveness by reducing the review and processing time for Congressional Notifications from over 90 minutes to just 16 minutes—a time savings of 80% per action. Used during the final eight months of FY 2024, Sienna processed 285 actions, saving approximately 352 hours, equivalent to one person working full-time for nine weeks. CBP projects the bot will handle 400 Congressional Notification actions in FY 2025, maintaining an impressive 99% accuracy rate as it routes, determines, and enters information into DHS’s Enterprise Reporting Application (ERA) for Congressional submission.
The success of the RPA bot was the culmination of a collaborative process that began in FY 2022. CBP’s HCA sponsored a crowdsourced effort via the PIL Idea Competition, which invited CBP’s acquisition workforce to propose ways to improve the Congressional Notification review process. In FY 2023, five ideas were submitted, and a panel of CBP procurement leadership selected two finalists to move forward to the Prototype phase. Extensive testing and feedback from CBP contracting officers and specialists shaped the final design, and a cash prize was awarded to the PIL Idea Competition winners following Sienna’s successful deployment.
Sienna’s impact on efficiency is profound, with projected annual savings of over $50,000 in labor costs and the redirection of 12 weeks of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) hours toward more strategic tasks, especially valuable during peak fiscal year-end periods. This innovation not only enhances CBP’s mission delivery speed but also sets a standard for leveraging emerging technologies to streamline complex processes within the federal government.
ACQUISITION EXCELLENCE – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Peter Giambone, Contracting Officer, Acquisition Innovation Advocate (AIA), Office of Acquisition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Peter Giambone has exhibited exemplary leadership and innovation in advancing acquisition 
and procurement strategies for information technology solutions at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As a Senior Contracting Officer and CBP’s Acquisition Innovation Advocate, Giambone champions DHS Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL) methodologies to drive faster, more efficient, and cost-effective acquisition outcomes. Alongside Mr. David Seay, he co-leads the CBP Procurement Innovation Team (PIT), fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within CBP’s acquisition community.
Among his most notable achievements is his work on the Non-Intrusive Inspection Anomaly Detection Algorithm (NII ADA) contract, an initiative that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance CBP’s capabilities in detecting contraband and security threats at ports of entry. Through this initiative, Giambone successfully secured a cutting-edge solution that leverages advanced computer vision algorithms to assist frontline officers in analyzing non-intrusive inspection images. To expedite this project, he adeptly used the Commercial Solutions Opening Pilot Program (CSOP), a nontraditional procurement tool designed to streamline the acquisition of commercial technologies. His strategic use of CSOP enabled CBP to rapidly access AI solutions, significantly strengthening border security measures and enhancing the effectiveness of inspection protocols. In recognition of his efforts, Giambone was awarded the CBP Commissioner’s Award for Trade and Facilitation, exemplifying how nontraditional procurement methods can rapidly bring essential technologies to the field to meet CBP’s mission needs.
Through his work on NII ADA, Giambone has also advanced CBP’s commitment to utilizing AI, data management, and algorithmic solutions, facilitating more thorough and efficient inspections, expediting the processing of low-risk trade and travel, and reducing human labor demands. His initiatives serve as a model for government leaders, showcasing how innovative procurement strategies can directly support national security.
Giambone’s contributions extend beyond CBP, positively impacting the broader DHS and federal acquisition communities. As an advocate for innovation, he shares best practices and lessons learned through various forums, including DHS PIL Webinars and educational podcasts, known as “PILCasts.” These sessions, publicly available, provide valuable insights into using innovative acquisition methods, such as CSOP and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Giambone’s commitment to mentorship is evident in his role as a coach to current and aspiring acquisition leaders, inspiring them to embrace change, challenge conventional methods, and strive for excellence.
Giambone’s vision, passion, and dedication to acquisition innovation have earned him the respect and admiration of peers, partners, and customers. His outstanding achievements and the positive impact he has made on acquisition within DHS and CBP exemplify Federal Acquisition excellence, positioning him as a leader driving the government toward a future that transcends current norms.
BACKBONE
Often the “back-end” side of the mission is the most neglected, and yet often the most important. Recipients of the Backbone award have accomplished extraordinary feats to ensure that the support functions of an agency maximize efficiency, support mission and account for new advancements and technology.
Phillip Troutman, Lead Data Architect, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
In an environment where front-line achievements often receive the spotlight, Phillip 
Troutman has consistently demonstrated that the true strength of ICE lies in the critical, behind-the-scenes support and solutions provided by back-end operations. His work has been instrumental in advancing efficiency, supporting ICE’s mission, and integrating cutting-edge technologies, setting a new standard for operational excellence.
As Lead Data Architect, Troutman spearheaded data tagging efforts that significantly enhanced data exchange and sharing capabilities. These efforts not only bolstered the agency’s data privacy and security posture but also aligned with zero trust architecture principles, ensuring a more robust information security framework. Additionally, Troutman researched and identified six viable FedRAMP-approved tools to categorize and tag ICE’s data dictionaries, laying the foundation for future automation solutions. His thorough analysis of data modeling standards across ICE brought critical context, illuminating areas of concern and resulting in updated standards that mitigate risks of unintentional misuse.
Under Troutman’s leadership, two high-priority initiatives moved from active phases to sustainment, marking significant strides toward program goals. His drive to empower mission-critical offices is evident in his dedication to going above and beyond standard responsibilities. When faced with incomplete or inadequate data dictionaries or limited data inventory contributions, Troutman not only educates others on the importance of this information to ICE’s data ecosystem but often takes on additional work within his office to enhance its usability and efficiency.
Troutman’s exceptional dedication and strategic foresight have optimized support functions within ICE and laid the groundwork for future advancements, ensuring the seamless execution of ICE’s mission. His work stands as a benchmark for excellence and inspires others to pursue the highest standards in their contributions.
HOMELAND’S HUMAN FIREWALL
Homeland’s Human Firewall is a new award to recognize the tireless efforts and achievements of those keeping our cyber infrastructure protected.
HOMELAND’s HUMAN FIREWALL – STATE
Matthew Hladik, Area Port Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
In the wake of a critical security breach, Area Port Director (APD) Matthew P. Hladik of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) showcased exceptional leadership, strategic insight, and operational innovation. Charged with leading the reorganization of the Law Enforcement Safety and Compliance Directorate’s (LESC) Asset Management Branch (AMB), Hladik transformed a compromised facility into a model of resilience and security excellence.
Hladik understood that protecting national security requires more than technical fixes; it demands a culture of accountability, empowerment, and collaboration. Under his guidance, the AMB was quickly restructured with state-of-the-art security systems and rigorous access protocols, fortifying both physical and cyber defenses. This strategic overhaul laid the foundation for a comprehensive transformation, ensuring that the restructured AMB could counter evolving threats with agility and precision. Hladik’s leadership was distinguished by his commitment to employee-driven change. His focus on open communication, mutual respect, and inclusivity fostered a shift in workforce morale, inspiring his team to take ownership of the changes and embrace a culture of compliance and excellence. By incorporating diverse perspectives, he established a robust system of checks and balances that upheld the highest standards of regulatory compliance.
The innovative framework Hladik developed not only protected this critical CBP facility but also created a replicable model for securing other sensitive operations across the agency. His meticulous attention to detail, deep expertise in security protocols, and ability to lead transformative change have made a lasting impact on CBP’s security posture.
APD Matthew P. Hladik’s campaign to reorganize and secure the AMB exemplifies the critical role of visionary leadership and innovative solutions in protecting national security. His dedication to excellence, his capacity to inspire and motivate his team, and his unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation make him an outstanding example of the “human firewall” philosophy in action.
HOMELAND’S MISSION AWARDEES
Each year, Homeland Security Today honors shining stars in the community who are making their own unique, invaluable contributions to advance the mission of keeping America safer from myriad threats. Their strong commitment to mission touches every part of their work, from day-to-day operations to special projects and work in the community.
Kim Rae Valentine, Branch Chief, Mission Services, Systems Delivery Division
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Kim Rae Valentine has demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformed the customer experience on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) public-facing websites. 
Her unwavering commitment to providing timely access to critical information for individuals seeking immigration information and benefits has significantly advanced the agency’s mission and improved its ability to serve the public effectively.
As Mission Services Branch Chief within the Systems Delivery Division (SDD), Valentine is a proven leader who guides her team to meet the complex demands of evolving U.S. immigration policies and regulatory changes. Her balanced approach, combining empathy for users with the technical demands of complex systems, has led to user-centric website improvements that prioritize accessibility and functionality. Working closely with IT Program Managers and development teams, Valentine ensures mission alignment on objectives and key results, enhancing collaboration, transparency, and decision-making across development teams, business stakeholders, and USCIS leadership.
Valentine also champions fiscal responsibility, ensuring her teams are prudent stewards of government funds by maintaining a strong focus on quality and value. She has instituted processes that emphasize accountability and transparency, reflecting her commitment to public service and her deep understanding of technology’s critical role in advancing the USCIS mission.
Valentine’s leadership style fosters open communication, creative problem-solving, and an unwavering focus on quality and success. For instance, her team deployed the Ukrainian Parolee Refund Webform in under a week to meet a critical deadline in response to a lawsuit, allowing users to toggle between Ukrainian, English, and Russian. This form has processed over 15,000 submissions from parolees claiming refunds. Valentine also spearheaded a multi-year effort to refresh the USCIS and E-Verify.gov websites, achieving 100% compliance with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS). By setting a new benchmark for quality, speed, and user-centered design, Valentine enables USCIS to fulfill its commitment to being a welcoming nation. Her exemplary leadership, innovative problem-solving, and dedication to enhancing the user experience position her as a vital asset to USCIS and its mission.
Michelle Zebrowski, Chief Data Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Under Michelle Zebrowski’s leadership, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has achieved transformative milestones in data governance and cybersecurity, setting a new standard for data management across the agency. Among her most impactful contributions is the development and publication of CBP’s first Data Governance Directive. This Directive establishes clear standards, roles, and responsibilities for data management in alignment with federal and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mandates, formalizing the Chief Data Officer role and creating a robust data governance board. Zebrowski’s initiative has laid a cohesive foundation for all CBP data initiatives, ensuring they are strategically structured and aligned.
Zebrowski also led the development of a Data Governance Framework that emphasizes a consistent approach to data management across stakeholders, structured around six guiding principles. This framework enhances CBP’s ability to accurately define, analyze, and utilize its data, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making agency-wide.
Her proactive approach enabled the creation of a detailed data inventory that now serves as the backbone for advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-sharing initiatives. Collaborating with over 20 offices and cataloging more than 800 datasets, Zebrowski developed comprehensive dashboards that offer in-depth insights into metadata and connect key stakeholders. Additionally, she has cataloged over 200 data-sharing agreements across CBP, developing a searchable dashboard that promotes transparency and facilitates effective data sharing across DHS components.
In cybersecurity, Zebrowski has championed the implementation of a zero-trust data framework, in line with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive 22-09. Her efforts in tagging, categorizing, and securing CBP’s datasets have been essential in safeguarding sensitive information across the agency’s vast network.
In the realm of AI, Zebrowski founded a Data Analytics Center of Excellence to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on AI and machine learning (ML) initiatives. Through her leadership, the Office of Information Technology developed an AI Strategy rooted in a solid governance framework, ensuring ethical and responsible use of AI. Her comprehensive inventory of AI use cases and her collaboration with the Chief AI Officer reflect her commitment to fostering innovation while enhancing CBP’s readiness for AI governance.
Terrance Dunford, Community Relations Officer, Buffalo Field Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Terrance Dunford’s impact within ICE ERO Buffalo is evident in his exceptional leadership, fostering strategic partnerships across law enforcement, stakeholder networks, and the 
community. Addressing complex challenges, such as those posed by New York State’s Green Light Law, Dunford has led efforts to mitigate impacts on ICE ERO and DHS, building critical alliances with NYPD and other DHS partners through collaborative briefings and intelligence sharing. His role in the Mutual Assistance Group (MAG) and involvement with the Canadian American Law Enforcement Organization (CALEO) has fortified local law enforcement relations, creating a platform for dialogue that strengthens community ties and security.
Dunford’s approach extends beyond law enforcement to proactive engagement with NGOs, ensuring alignment with ERO and OPLA initiatives through regular consultations and support. His “Terry’s List” database for emergency preparedness exemplifies his dedication to operational resilience, while his Northern Border Offices tour highlighted DHS’s regional needs. Dunford also enhanced ERO’s community visibility through National Night Out participation and a “ERO 101” presentation to New York’s Sheriff’s Association, underscoring ERO’s role in the state’s security framework.
His proactive, daily communication with senior leadership emphasizes his unwavering commitment to advancing ERO’s mission, often independently progressing key initiatives. Dunford’s talent for building partnerships and community ties sets him apart, making him an invaluable asset to ERO Buffalo and a benchmark for excellence in public service and outreach.
Raghavender (Raghu) Sriram, Branch Chief, Infrastructure & Shared Services, Transformation Delivery Division, Office of Information Technology, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Raghu Sriram is a transformational leader whose innovative management of critical infrastructure projects has significantly impacted the USCIS mission. His work streamlined 
immigration processing, protected sensitive information, enhanced data analytics, and facilitated inter-agency collaboration. Among his many achievements is the successful migration of the GLOBAL case management system to Amazon Web Services, which saves USCIS approximately $350,000 annually and improves application reliability.
Raghu is an exemplary Mission awardee because he fosters and experiments with new technologies in automation and generative AI to support the mission and enhance case processing, data-driven decision-making, and user experience. He has improved infrastructure resilience, ensuring 24/7 availability with over 99.6% system uptime, and implemented infrastructure upgrades to maintain security, compliance, and efficiency.
His strategic resource management led to over $1.15 million in annual savings in 2024. Raghu’s collaborative approach fosters strong stakeholder engagement and facilitates project support and implementation. His leadership has greatly enhanced USCIS’s efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness, making him a highly respected figure within the agency.
Trang Tran, Deputy Chief Data Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Trang Tran is a dedicated and accomplished federal leader who has devoted over 25 years to the homeland security mission. Her expertise spanning project management, customer 
service, data management, and team development has catapulted her to advancements throughout here career. Her 15-year tenure with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been marked by impactful roles that enhance national security through innovation, collaboration, and trust. Initially serving as the Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Branch Chief for a decade, Tran implemented numerous energy-saving initiatives. In her current role as Deputy Chief Data Officer, she oversees data management, governance, and utilization across the CBP enterprise, transforming how CBP approaches data and intelligence.
One of Tran’s significant accomplishments is her leadership in developing CBP’s first data strategy, laying the groundwork for a more data-centric agency. This comprehensive strategy has greatly enhanced data governance and accessibility, improving the speed and accuracy of intelligence-sharing across CBP’s components, its partners, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In response to a DHS mandate under the OPEN Government Data Act, Tran launched the CBP-wide Data Inventory Program (DIP), an initiative aimed at cataloging all datasets across the Department. This extensive effort required collaboration with program offices, system owners, data managers, and other stakeholders, culminating in a consolidated CBP data catalog that ensures compliance and enhances data accessibility across the agency.
Tran also founded and leads the CBP-wide Data Working Group (DWG), a pivotal initiative that establishes open data standards and ensures compliance with federal regulations, including the Federal Data Strategy. This group has fostered essential collaboration across CBP’s complex structure, standardizing data practices and streamlining information-sharing processes that support mission-critical operations. She has also been instrumental in developing the agency’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Operations environment, where she champions the optimization of the entire AI lifecycle. Through the adoption of DevOps principles for Machine Learning (ML) models, she promotes collaboration between data scientists and operations teams, enhancing automation and scalability within CBP’s AI initiatives.
In 2022, Tran led the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Center of Innovation (AI COI), a center that has introduced advanced analytic capabilities that are reshaping CBP’s operational landscape. She leads a dedicated team of data scientists and engineers who work closely with mission offices to address specific challenges and test AI technologies for broader scalability. Through this center, Tran has forged partnerships between CBP and industry, providing access to innovative tools and solutions that support data enrichment, annotation, and scalable AI applications.
Tran’s work is setting a benchmark for excellence in mission, reshaping CBP’s approach to data and AI, and exemplifying what it means to advance Homeland Security in an era defined by innovation and complex data management.
