CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske to Speak at NBAA's 2015 Convention

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that R. Gil Kerlikowske, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will speak at the Opening General Session of NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015), which runs from Nov. 17 to 19 in Las Vegas, NV.

“We look forward to having Commissioner Kerlikowske join us at NBAA2015, and hearing his views on CBP’s efforts affecting business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “His address continues a long tradition of CBP’s participation in the convention.”

Kerlikowske was nominated as commissioner of CBP by President Obama, and sworn in on March 7, 2014. As commissioner, he overseas CBP’s dual mission of protecting national security and promoting economic prosperity. In this role, he runs the largest federal law enforcement agency, charged with traveler and cargo inspections at more than 300 U.S. ports of entry, including airports.

“Commissioner Kerlikowske has always taken a productive, collaborative approach to industry concerns in the CBP’s work with NBAA,” said Bolen. “We’re pleased to carry that collaboration forward in Las Vegas.”

Prior to heading CBP, Kerlikowske served as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy from 2009 to 2014. He has four decades of law enforcement experience, having served as chief of police for Seattle, WA; deputy director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and police commissioner of Buffalo, NY.

Kerlikowske began his law enforcement career in the St. Petersburg, FL police department. He has received several awards for his leadership, innovation and community service. He served in the U.S. Army and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from the University of South Florida.

Kerlikowske will be one of several speakers at the NBAA2015 Opening General Session on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

As the most important business aviation event of the year, NBAA2015 offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the latest issues affecting the industry. And as the largest gathering of the industry in the world, NBAA2015 is the best place to review the latest business aviation products, technology and services, while participating in dozens of education sessions and making side-by-side comparisons of the most innovative aircraft on static display.

NBAA2015 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with two aircraft displays – an indoor one, on the exhibit floor of the convention center, and an outdoor display at Henderson Executive Airport (HND).