Annual Meeting

Pfeifer Keynote to Address U.S. Border Operations

On Tuesday, October 20, during the Opening Plenary Session in San Antonio, the keynote speaker will be John C. Pfeifer, Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol, Rio Grande Valley Sector. In his talk, "Border Security Mission - All Threats Environment," Pfeifer will provide an overview of the Border Patrol organization within the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

     Pfeifer will discuss the agency mission statement of gaining operational control of U.S. borders and how that goal can be met through the use of the right combination of humanpower, technology, and tactical infrastructure. Current activity levels and trends and border violence issues will also be highlighted.

     Deputy Chief Pfeifer directs the enforcement activities of more than 2,500 employees who work to secure the 317 miles of the U.S. border with Mexico and the entire Texas coastline. Prior to this assignment, he served as an associate chief assigned to the Southwest Border Operations Division (SWB) at the Border Patrol headquarters office in Washington, D.C. During his tenure in Washington, he had oversight of the Yuma, Tucson, and El Paso Sectors. Other duties included serving as the task force director for Operation Jumpstart and as acting deputy division chief for SWB.

     Pfeifer, a 23-year Border Patrol veteran, graduated from Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont, and served 5 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Secretary's Department of Homeland Security Team Excellence Award, the Commissioner's Newton-Azrak Award for Valor, the Excellence in Group Award, and the Border Patrol Purple Cross.

View the preliminary program

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