Robert C. Bonner - Senior Principal

Mr. Bonner is actively involved in the firm's practices. He leads the WCO SAFE Framework and Smart Borders practice group. He also works closely with the other practice groups, especially on the firm's international projects.

Mr. Bonner was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Commissioner of U.S. Customs Service in September 2001. Then from 2003 through December 2005, Mr. Bonner served as the first Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for managing, controlling, and securing the United States' borders, while facilitating global trade and travel.

As the Commissioner of CBP, Mr. Bonner led the largest merger of personnel and resources associated with the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2003. CBP was created by merging personnel from U.S. Customs, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and Department of Agriculture. This included the merger of approximately 22,000 Customs personnel, 18,000 Immigration personnel, and 2,000 Agriculture personnel, and the creation of "One Face at the Border" - the integration of customs and immigration authorities into one primary inspection at border Ports of Entry.

Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Mr. Bonner led key efforts to modernize supply chain security efforts so as to properly address post-9/11 threats. Mr. Bonner created the unprecedented Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) - both continue to revolutionize the security and more efficient movement of trade around the world.

At the same time Mr. Bonner focused on securing international supply chains from the terrorist threat, he also pursued and implemented a national border control strategy to secure America's borders. This strategy consists of a centralized command structure, rapid response capability, and a defense-in-depth, while relying upon highly-trained personnel, strengthened infrastructure, and improved technology.

In addition, Mr. Bonner expanded the development of automated risk-assessment systems (and related policies) for both people and cargo. Under Mr. Bonner's leadership, immediately following September 11th, CBP sought and obtained the authority to require advanced electronic data on virtually all cargo entering the U.S. as well as passport and reservation data on virtually all people flying to the U.S. From 2001 - 2003, CBP put in place the policies and targeting systems needed to use this data to assess all arriving cargo and people for risk, thereby developing the type of border screening system recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

Further, Mr. Bonner was the driving force behind many international efforts to adapt customs policies and operations to the post-9/11 era. In particular, Mr. Bonner led the effort to develop and ratify the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework - the principles guiding customs modernization efforts designed to combat terrorism. These principles are, to a great extent, based on the policies and initiatives Mr. Bonner implemented at CBP.

Under Mr. Bonner's leadership, the combination of advancements in risk-assessment, "One Face at the Border" and related operational changes, and "smart border" programs such as C-TPAT, CSI, NEXUS and NEXUS Air (trusted international traveler programs), the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program, and the Immigration Advisory Program, enhanced U.S. security and facilitated legitimate trade and travel.

Mr. Bonner's other government service included serving as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from 1990 to 1993, as U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California from 1989 to 1990, and as the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California from 1984 through 1989.

Mr. Bonner was a partner in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher from 1993 to 2001, and from 2005 through 2007. His practice focused on business advice and government enforcement actions, complex civil cases, internal corporate investigations, corporate compliance programs and public policy matters. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Bonner retired as a partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP at the end of 2007.

Robert C. Bonner joined the Sentinel HS Group as a Senior Principal on January 1, 2008.

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