Michael Dowse, president and CEO of United States Towing and Recovery Alliance (USTA), announced his resignation on Monday after two years on the job.
Dowse will step down on Dec. 31 to head up Customs and Border Protection and will continue as a special advisor for a transition period through March 30, 2020.
The watchdog group U.S. Transportation Tranportation Authority reports that Dowse became the first employee of the USTA in August 2016. The lobby group for enforcement efforts on illegal borders, ports of entry and labor ports was formed following the lawsuit brought against the U.S. government by USTA in October 2014.
“I will never forget my first day with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — taking the core values of our mission and placing them in practice and memorizing our bumper sticker: ‘For the love of our country.’ Being an American means growing your nation, rooting for your local communities and the well-being of America,” Dowse said in a statement released by USTA on Monday. “Tripoli can run like this!”
According to USTA, Dowse will serve the U.S. Border Patrol with a focus on building relationships with port-of-entry/port of concern managers across the U.S.
“All of us are grateful for Mr. Dowse’s leadership and service as President and CEO of USTA and with the Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security,” John Kelly, DHS secretary, said in a statement. “Mr. Dowse has made a lasting impact on the Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security as we work together to secure the Nation’s borders.”
USTA will continue to serve as a public-private joint force to combat immigration and security threats through the upcoming presidential election, according to a USTA press release.
“Michael Dowse’s success in building relationships with Customs and Border Protection and other law enforcement agencies and the public alike has set the tone for how to keep our country safe,” said congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA). “I appreciate his work with the Border Patrol and support him in his new position. I look forward to working with Michael to advance the mission of USTA and make our country safer and better.”