Lunch & Learn - Rene Ortega / US Border Control Center

About Rene Ortega

Mr. Rene Ortega is the Area Port Director for Seattle, Washington within U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Mr. Ortega has over twenty-seven years of federal government service in the areas of law enforcement functions and border management. Prior to serving in Seattle, Mr. Ortega was the Area Port Director in Dublin, Ireland for CBP Preclearance. Prior to Dublin, Mr. Ortega was the Port Director for Tecate, California within the San Diego Field Office and Area Port Director for Sumas, Washington within the Seattle Field Office. Mr. Ortega also served as the Border Community Liaison (BCL) Representative, and CBP Mentoring Program Coordinator.

As a Senior CBP Leader, Mr. Ortega has effectively led and managed various extensive CBP processes throughout the Office of Field Operations. He has supervised air, land, rail, and sea operational environments and addressed complex and politically sensitive issues ranging from national immigration policy, facilities administration, congressional inquiries, professionalism, operational budgets, international trade relations, law enforcement tactics, border enforcement and security. Mr. Ortega has held various key leadership positions within CBP, including Acting Area Port Director, Blaine, Washington, Assistant Area Port Director, Blaine, Washington, Assistant Port Director, Laredo, Texas, Communications Section Chief, San Diego Field Office, Area Port Director, Douglas, Arizona and Port Director, Lynden, Washington. Mr. Ortega served honorably with the U.S. Army and is a combat veteran from Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Prior to joining CBP, he served as a Municipal Police Officer with the City of Nogales, Arizona Police Department.

Mr. Ortega has worked in many geographical areas; to include numerous Southwest Border Ports of Entry in Arizona, California, Texas, Vancouver Preclearance, British Columbia, Canada, Washington State, and temporary details with the U.S. Border Patrol Laredo Sector North and special CBP Headquarters details for the CBP Commissioner and Executive Assistant Commissioner in Washington, D.C. He served as a CBP Field Training Officer, Special Operations Immigration Inspector, Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instructor, Supervisory CBPO (1st line), Supervisory Chief/Watch Commander (2nd line), and Supervisory CBPO Area Port Director (2nd and 3rd line). Mr. Ortega has received numerous CBP Leadership Awards, and commendations for his exemplary service and professionalism. He is the recipient of two CBP Commissioner’s Awards, the Meritorious Service Award for Valor and Operation Secure Line Award. Mr. Ortega attended Pima College in Tucson, Arizona and Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is an Administration of Justice and Business Management major and holds a Project Management Certification (Comp TIA Project+).

About the Transportation Club of Seattle

The Transportation Club of Seattle has been at the center of the Seattle area transportation community for over 108 years. Founded in 1910, the club was formed to encourage the study by members of transportation issues; promote closer business relationships, promote the welfare of its membership as well as to sponsor educational programs and discussions pertaining to traffic and transportation matters. The club holds monthly lunch and learn meetings throughout the year, provides an annual golf tournament and supports the Salvation Army through its annual holiday auction. The Transportation Club of Seattle is a member of the Logistics & Transportation Association of North America.

We are looking forward to connecting with the community!