Gil Kerlikowske

Gil Kerlikowske is a prominent consultant with extensive experience in law enforcement and public policy. He has had a distinguished 40-year career, notably serving as the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from 2014 to 2017, where he was the first Senate-confirmed commissioner during President Obama's administration. His role at CBP involved overseeing a vast agency with approximately 60,000 employees, focusing on border security and facilitating lawful trade and travel.123

Prior to his tenure at CBP, Kerlikowske was the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy from 2009 to 2014. In this position, he initiated significant strategies, including the first federal Prescription Drug Strategy, and emphasized a public health approach to drug policy rather than solely a law enforcement perspective.14 His earlier roles included serving as Chief of Police in several cities, including Seattle and Buffalo, where he implemented community policing reforms and led significant organizational changes.234

Currently, Kerlikowske operates as an independent consultant for the United States government and is involved in academia as a Distinguished Fellow at the Global Resilience Institute and a Professor of Practice at Northeastern University. He is also affiliated with the Council on Foreign Relations and has been a speaker at various national and international forums.124