Veteran law enforcement leader Ronald Vitiello announced on LinkedIn that he is rejoining U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as Senior Advisor after leaving his current role at Axon on January 20, 2025. In his post, Vitiello stated, “Starting 1/20/2025 I will depart Axon to return to government service. I have accepted an appointment of Senior Advisor to U.S. Customs and Border Protection within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Leaving the FED team to be in the federal government again is exciting and interesting.”
Vitiello brings over 34 years of experience in border security, immigration enforcement, and government leadership to his new role. His storied career includes serving as Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Acting Deputy Commissioner of CBP, and Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. He began his career as a Border Patrol agent in Laredo, Texas, in 1985 and has since held numerous leadership positions across the Department of Homeland Security, including Chief Patrol Agent of the Rio Grande Valley Sector and the Swanton Sector, and Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol.
During his tenure as Chief of the Border Patrol, Vitiello played a critical role in enhancing operational effectiveness and interagency collaboration. As Deputy Commissioner of CBP, he oversaw broad enforcement and facilitation responsibilities for one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the nation. In 2018, while serving as Acting Director of ICE, Vitiello guided the agency through complex and high-profile challenges, earning the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive in the Senior Executive Service.
After retiring from public service, Vitiello joined the private sector, most recently serving as Head of DHS Programs and Strategy at Axon, where he focused on advancing law enforcement technologies and operational strategy. His experience in both government and private industry positions him uniquely to provide strategic guidance to CBP in his new senior advisory capacity.