Ronald Vitiello has been appointed acting deputy commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Vitiello announced his appointment on LinkedIn Tuesday.
Sign up now for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12 to hear DHS leaders discuss investment priorities across AI, cyber and border security.
Table of Contents
Who Is Ronald Vitiello?
Vitiello is a veteran homeland security leader with four decades of experience across the federal and private sectors. He spent more than 35 years with CBP, leaving the agency in 2019 before returning as a senior adviser in January 2025.
“Returning to serve the American people as a member of Trump 47 has been awesome. I’m truly honored to be supporting the Administration, the Commissioner, and leading the team at CBP. I believe to my core that CBP does more than any to protect the Homeland at our borders and beyond,” Vitiello said.
What Will Vitiello Do as CBP Acting Deputy Commissioner?
In his new role, Vitiello helps direct a workforce of over 60,000 personnel. He manages a $13 billion budget dedicated to protecting national borders and ensuring the efficient flow of legal commerce and international travel.
“In the current time-frame, we have the opportunity to do more on the border and the other operational areas than I’ve ever thought possible. We are poised to deliver on making America safe now and for generations to come,” said Vitiello.
What Are Vitiello’s Past Roles?
Before rejoining the CBP, Vitiello spent over five years at Axon as head of the Department of Homeland Security programs and strategy. He also served as director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. At CBP, he held multiple leadership roles, including deputy commissioner and chief of the U.S Border Patrol.
Vitiello played a significant role in the formation of the DHS and the integration of CBP. He is also known as the only Border Patrol agent to have led both CBP and ICE.
Related Articles
George Forbes has been named chief information officer at the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, bringing decades of experience in military operations, data leadership and artificial intelligence to an agency at the forefront of U.S. technology security policy. Forbes announced the move in a LinkedIn post on Sunday. “Grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside dedicated public servants and contribute to our national mission. Excited for what lies ahead — new challenges, new collaborations, and a chance to make a meaningful impact,” the new BIS CIO wrote. His appointment comes as BIS continues expanding its role in
The Office of Management and Budget has issued new guidance aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency and accountability in federal information technology spending. In a March 31 memorandum, OMB Director Russell Vought outlined requirements for agencies to improve visibility into IT contracts and enhance data sharing to support more efficient procurement decisions. How Does the Memo Increase CIO Oversight of Government IT Spending? OMB said chief information officers at Chief Financial Officers Act agencies must be more directly involved in IT-related decisions, including reviewing and approving contracts. Beginning in May, agency CIOs are required to submit monthly reports to OMB detailing
The Department of Energy has awarded SURATech a $1.8 billion to manage and operate the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or TJNAF, a federally funded research and development center located in Newport News, Virginia. The agency said Tuesday that work on the contract will begin on June 1 and end on May 31, 2031, but the agreement includes performance-based options that could extend the contract for up to 20 years. SURATech is a consortium led by the Southeastern Universities Research Association and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, with major subcontractors Honeywell International, Longenecker and Associates, Akima Support Operations, and