Saso Zafirovski
Elmwood Park,NJ
Summary
I am a highly experienced leader with a proven track record of success in mentoring, training, and achieving results. I am a dedicated and motivated leader with a consistent aspiration to mentor and train. I am adept at problem-solving and critical thinking, and I possess over 27 years of military service, with 24 years as a leader and 17 years of experience in CBP,. I have excelled in public interaction, supervision, and employee management. I am constantly seeking new and challenging opportunities to leverage my expertise and contribute to the success of CBP.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Battalion Command Sergeant Major
New Jersey Army National Guard
05.2025 - Current
- Serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the battalion commander, providing expert leadership, guidance, and mentorship to over 400 soldiers.
- Oversees the welfare, training, and career development, coordinated battalion-wide operations, and enforces standards to foster discipline and excellence.
- Mentors junior leaders by providing guidance, coaching, and professional development to prepare them for increased responsibilities and leadership roles within the organization.
- Coordinates activities of subordinate personnel to support mission success.
- Trains and mentored personnel in combat operations and tactics.
Supervisory Officer (GS-13 First Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
11.2022 - Current
- Serving as the Honor Guard Commander for one of the most active honor guard teams within CBP. Trains a diverse team of 17 Officers/Supervisors current and new members while coordinating with internal and external partners. Attend and participate in various events such as federal and local funerals, blue masses, parades, sporting events, special emphasis programs, and employee award ceremonies.
- Manages logistical and administrative tasks for the Honor Guard team, including scheduling, training, inventory, and budget management.
- Coordinates and oversees the training and development of team members to ensure readiness for all ceremonial events and public appearances.
- Collaborates with external agencies and community partners to represent the Port of New York/Newark Honor Guard at various events and functions.
- Maintains a high standard of appearance and performance for the team, upholding the honor and traditions of the organization.
- Empowers team members to take an active role in training, enhancing their skills and overall performance resulting in a 50% increase in team membership.
- Received Unit Citation from the Director of Field Operations for exceptional performance and dedication as a member of the New York Field Office Honor Guard.
- Achieved temporary promotion to second-line Supervisor over peers based on proven track record of solid leadership, motivating Officers, and superior ability to make quick decisions and lead teams with confidence and professionalism.
- Effectively oversaw and managed a team of nine Officers within the CBP Hologram & APIS Security Enforcement (CHASE) team.
- Lead and coordinated activities of the Hologram team, ensuring accurate background checks and timely issuance of customs seals to airport personnel.
- Directed the APIS team in reviewing submissions for accuracy, promptly correcting errors, and taking enforcement actions against violators of CBP law.
- Implemented protocols and procedures to streamline operations and enhance efficiency within the Hologram and APIS sections.
- Collaborated with other CBP departments and stakeholders to ensure seamless communication and enforcement of security measures.
- Engaged Officers in brainstorming and implementing innovative strategies to enhance enforcement actions, resulting in a significant increase in penalty metrics exceeding FY23 targets by 20% in the first five months of FY24.
- Transformed the APIS team culture to prioritize an enforcement-first mindset, leading to a significant increase in penalty amounts. Through proactive enforcement initiatives, exceeded the previous year's penalty amounts in half the time.
- Supervised, planned, directed, coordinated, assigned, and evaluated all work activities regarding the full range of primary and secondary inspections, intelligence analysis, examination, and law enforcement activities relating to the arrival and departure of persons, conveyances, and merchandise at Newark Liberty International Airport.
- Interpreted the laws and regulations of a broad range of Federal, State, and local agencies relating to the admissibility of people, cargo, and conveyances.
- Evaluated employees’ performance and conduct; resolved disciplinary actions; maintained operating budgets; planned and scheduled work daily; and promoted affirmative action goals.
- Served as a coach and mentor of lower-level CBP Officers and providing feedback while keeping my higher leadership informed. Made recommendations for performance improvement and training needs to Officers under my command.
- Knowledge and understanding of the national collective bargaining agreement and the ability to apply to the agreement.
(A) Deputy Chief (GS-13 Second Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Oversaw, rewrote, briefed, and executed the first Fraud Investigation Strike Team (FIST) Operation at the Port of New York/Newark in over five years.
- Briefed the FIST Operation to senior CBP management and over 100 Officers/Agents, including HSI/ICE/DEA/FBI and SRT. The brief became a template for other Ports around CBP to adopt.
- FIST Operation resulted in 16 arrests with zero injuries and was briefed to the CBP Commissioner.
- Oversaw the Carrier and Compliance Team, including entry and clearances and bonded warehouses.
- Organized, reviewed, and evaluated the work of over 200 Officers and Supervisors in the Cargo Operations Division.
- Participated as a manager on the EARN 2.0 pilot program to enhance Officer recognition.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies and community partners, to further CBP success. Fostered collaboration to enhance interagency cooperation and operational effectiveness.
- Managed day-to-day operations of the division, delegating tasks to Supervisors and Officers, while ensuring seamless communication with upper management. Streamlined workflow processes to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Regularly reviews and adjusts overtime spending to ensure alignment with organizational goals and financial objectives within the Cargo Operations Division.
- Collaborates with other first and second-line Supervisors to address and resolve issues in the cargo environment.
(A) Deputy Chief (GS-13 Second Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
05.2024 - 09.2024
- Manages and supervises the daily operation in the Passenger Division as a second-line Supervisor and directly oversees approximately 60 Officers and five Supervisors.
- Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies and community partners to further CBP success.
- Manages day-to-day operations of the division, including delegating tasks to Supervisors and Officers while coordinating communication with upper management.
- Provides hands-on leadership and guidance to first-line Supervisors in the Passenger Operations Division, ensuring their continuous development and growth.
- Mentors temporary Supervisors to improve operational excellence and enhance their leadership skillset.
- Oversees scheduling and assignment of duties to ensure adequate coverage and optimal passenger flow of over 20,000 daily passengers.
- Regularly reviews and adjusts overtime spending to ensure alignment with organizational goals and financial objectives within the Passenger Operations Division.
- Implements and enforces safety protocols to ensure the well-being of passengers and staff.
- Collaborates with other first and second-line Supervisors to address and resolve passenger complaints and issues effectively.
(A) Deputy Chief (GS-13 Second Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
10.2023 - 02.2024
- Directly oversaw over 45 Officers in the CBP Hologram & APIS Security Enforcement (CHASE) team, Global Entry team, and Passenger Operations.
- Directed and coordinated daily operations of 200 Officers and technicians to ensure efficient and safe passenger operations.
- Provided hands-on leadership and guidance to first-line Supervisors in the Passenger Operations Division, ensuring continuous development and growth.
- Mentored temporary Supervisors to improve operational excellence and enhance their leadership skillset.
- Oversaw scheduling and assignment of duties to ensure adequate coverage and optimal passenger flow of over 20,000 daily passengers.
- Increased the Global Entry team personnel by 22% to improve efficiency and help meet CBP goals.
- Oversaw the Newark Global Entry team which ranks only behind JFK airport as the busiest Global Entry office in the agency.
- Developed and implemented strategies to effectively manage and control a separate overtime budget of $620,000.
- Regularly reviewed and adjusted overtime spending to ensure alignment with organizational goals and financial objectives within the Passenger Operations Division.
- Implemented and enforced safety protocols to ensure the well-being of passengers and staff.
- Collaborated with other first and second line Supervisors to address and resolve passenger complaints and issues effectively.
- Conducted regular audits and inspections to maintain high standards of operational efficiency.
- Served as a second line Supervisor, planning, directing, coordinating, assigning, organizing, and evaluating all work activities, such as inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and layered law enforcement activities relative to counterterrorism; and interpreting laws and regulations of a broad range of Federal, state, and local agencies, relating to the admissibility of people, cargo, and conveyances; arrival and departure of vessels and aircraft.
- Communicated a vision for the work unit, coordinated and monitored the work of others. Translated broad organizational goals into concrete objectives, plans, priorities, and assignments. Maintained an awareness of external factors that affect the organization or specific work assignments. Formulated short- and long-term strategies consistent with organizational goals and internal/external factors.
- Influenced, motivated, and challenged others to maximize their potential. Lead, developed, and managed a high-performing, diverse workforce, ensuring employment practices are administered in a fair and equitable manner. Promoted and fostered an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
- Represented CBP and its interests in interactions with external parties. Ensured that interactions with and information provided to outside parties reflect positively on the agency. Enhanced trust and credibility in the agency and its mission through effective professional interactions with others outside the organization.
- Dealt professionally and tactfully with external parties in difficult, tense, or emergency situations. Resolved conflicts between CBP employees, travelers, and the public.
- Made positive contributions to achieving team goals. Developed and maintained collaborative working relationships with others. Built effective partnerships that facilitate working across boundaries, groups, or organizations.
- Planned and scheduled work daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly. Set and adjusted priorities and prepared schedules for work completion. Assigned work to subordinates based on priorities, selective considerations of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and employees' capabilities.
- Evaluated the performance of others and followed up to ensure that performance is on track. Recognized and rewarded employee contributions or performance. Addressed employee performance and gave timely and constructive feedback to others. Identified developmental needs for others and ensured they receive needed development or training opportunities.
(A) Program Manager (GS-13)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
08.2022 - 11.2022
- Temporary promotion to Program Manager (GS-13).
- Managed and supervised the New York Field Office Honor Guard, comprising of two ports and over 35 members from the most active honor guard teams within CBP.
- Coordinated with CBP management and outside agencies and stakeholders for funeral logistics.
- Coordination of honor guard training with outside agencies.
- Provided program direction and support for a section, branch, or comparable organization entity.
- Planned, directed, coordinated, assigned, organized, and evaluated work activities of CBP Officers and professional, technical, and administrative staff.
- Managed the development, assignment, and higher level clearance of goals and objectives of subordinate organization units.
- Ensured that assigned programs and processes are covered by internal control.
Customs and Border Protection Officer
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
05.2008 - 08.2022
- Team lead of the Passenger Intelligence Enforcement Response (PIER), which targets passengers and baggage for narcotics illegally entering the United States through the airport and gaining intelligence from other government agencies.
- Involved with numerous narcotic seizures and intelligence gathering while assigned to PIER and the Smuggling Interdiction Unit (SIU).
- Interdiction of high-risk passengers attempting to facilitate surreptitious entry of contraband. Effect seizures and involvement with high-risk enforcement actions.
- Prevented the entry of terrorists and instruments of terror, illegal drugs and contraband, and all illegal aliens and importations/exportations contrary to law and trade agreements from entering/exiting the United States.
- Conducted secondary inspections of referrals from primary inspections through interviews, additional database queries, communication with other law enforcement agencies, and use of technology at the port of entry utilizing behavioral and cultural analysis.
- Team lead on the General Aviation team, communicated and interacted with internal components, stakeholders, and other law enforcement agencies including DEA, FBI, US Marshals, foreign entities, and carriers.
- Worked in multiple teams to include: the Marine Admissibility Unit, Radiation Portal Monitors, Non-Intrusive Inspection teams, Internal Conspiracy Unit, compliance warehouses, and special operations at the Seaport Environment.
- Currently serving with distinction on the New York Field Office Honor Guard since 2015.
- Implemented a pilot program that focused on over 100 Pre-Academy Trainee Officers. The program entailed drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies, uniform wear, and physical training, among other classes, to assist Trainees in preparing for the Academy.
Sergeant Major
New Jersey Army National Guard
12.2021 - 05.2025
- Provides logistical support and guidance to 14 subordinate units consisting of approximately 1500 Soldiers.
- Manages daily operations and logistics to support mission success and maintain high morale within the unit
- Represents the unit in meetings with higher ranking officials as the senior most enlisted advisor to the commander.
- Principal Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of supply and services operations.
- Subject matter expert in Joint and Army Doctrine and advises the staff on unit matters.
- Performs liaison between staff and supported Soldiers to improve the effectiveness of support activities.
- Responsible for the health, welfare, morale, professional development, and training of 18 Soldiers.
- Educates and trains subordinates; counsels, develops, and mentors junior and senior leaders.
- Supervised over 900 Soldiers as part of the Support Cell for the Rotational Support Unit at Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC).
First Sergeant
New Jersey Army National Guard
08.2020 - 12.2021
- Responsible for the health, welfare, morale, professional development, and training of over 110 Soldiers.
- First Sergeant of the only Military Intelligence Company in New Jersey.
- Briefed Commander on enlisted matters, promotions, maintaining and enforcing standards, personnel accountability, standard compliance with regulations, monitoring, and enforcing maintenance standards.
- Educated and trained subordinate NCOs.
- Counseled and mentored platoon Sergeants and platoon leaders on all matters.
- Responsible for organizing the biggest ceremony consisting of promotions, awards, and re-enlistments in the Battalion.
- Ensured that the unit maintained a 100% completion rate for Soldier evaluations on time or ahead of schedule, leading to positive feedback and recognition in the form of an Army Achievement Medal.
Sergeant - Master Sergeant
New Jersey Army National Guard
12.2001 - 08.2020
- Received, inspected, inventoried, loaded, unloaded, segregated, stored, issued, delivered, and turned-in organization and installation supplies and equipment.
- Provided technical guidance and training to lower-graded personnel.
- Inspected completed work for accuracy and compliance with established procedures.
- Pre-Basic Training Instructor in which over 500 soldiers were trained during 2005-2007 on basic Soldier skills.
- Deployed to Iraq to a combat zone in 2008-2009 and was responsible for the training, mentoring, welfare and overall care of 35 Soldiers.
- Served as Observer/Coach/Trainer (OC/T) from 2015-2020 to observe training exercises, coach and train individuals and units from other States, and provide input after exercises to elevate unit readiness levels further.
- Became the first officially trained OC/T for the newly organized unit, New Jersey Operations Group over his peers.
Fire Support Sergeant
United States Army
07.1998 - 12.2001
- Led and trained the forward observer team and Combat Observation Lasing Team in combat operations and was responsible for Soldiers’ welfare and training.
- Combat Observation Lasing Team (COLT) Chief; responsible for preparing observed target list; responsible for all matters of fire support, including Mortar, Artillery, Naval Surface Fire, Close Combat Attack, and Close Air Support; initiates suppressive and screening fire to support the scheme of maneuver; performs crater analysis; selects and occupies observation post; responsible for the health, welfare, training, and accountability of two Soldiers and maintenance of Fire Support equipment, valued in exceeds of $750,000.
Education
Peer Support -
CBP - Workforce And Resiliency Division
05-2025
Supervisory Leadership Training (SLT) -
CBP - Advanced Training Center
Harpers Ferry, WV08-2023
Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS) -
CBP - Advanced Training Center
Harpers Ferry, WV07-2023
Certificate of Leadership and Workforce Development - Leadership
The NCO Leadership Center of Excellence (Sergeants Major Academy)
Fort Bliss, Texas03-2023
Company Commander/First Sergeant Pre-Command Course -
Department of The Army
12.2021
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit Commander and Staff Leader's Course -
United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence
Fort Huachuca, Arizona12.2021
Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I -
Joint Knowledge Online
Battle Staff NCO Course -
United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
Fort Bliss, TexasSenior Leader Course -
80th QM BN, 1st BDE, 94TH DIV
Camp Park, CaliforniaObserver Coach/Trainer Course -
United States Army First Academy
Camp Shelby, Mississippi05-2019
National Honor Guard Academy -
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Glynco, GA12-2015
CBP Officer - Law Enforcement
Federal Law Enforcement Center (FLETC)
Glynco, GA03-2010
Bachelors of Science - Criminal Justice
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Newark, NJ05-2006
Primary Leadership Development Course -
United States Army, NCO Academy
Fort Polk, Louisana06-2001
Accomplishments
Commissioner's Unit Citation Award CBP September 2022
Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) NJ Army National Guard July 2023
Total of two MSM's awarded.
Army Achievement Medal (AAM) NJ Army National Guard July 2021
Total of seven AAM's awarded
Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) NJ Army National Guard August 2019
Total of six ARCOMs awarded
CBP Professionalism Award CBP June 2015
CBP OFO Proud Award
Custom Section
Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Clearance from the Department of Defense (DoD) - 2020
Secret Clearance from CBP - 2022
Timeline
Battalion Command Sergeant Major
New Jersey Army National Guard
05.2025 - Current
(A) Deputy Chief (GS-13 Second Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
01.2025 - 05.2025
(A) Deputy Chief (GS-13 Second Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
05.2024 - 09.2024
(A) Deputy Chief (GS-13 Second Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
10.2023 - 02.2024
Supervisory Officer (GS-13 First Line)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
11.2022 - Current
(A) Program Manager (GS-13)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
08.2022 - 11.2022
Sergeant Major
New Jersey Army National Guard
12.2021 - 05.2025
First Sergeant
New Jersey Army National Guard
08.2020 - 12.2021
Customs and Border Protection Officer
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
05.2008 - 08.2022
Sergeant - Master Sergeant
New Jersey Army National Guard
12.2001 - 08.2020
Fire Support Sergeant
United States Army
07.1998 - 12.2001
Peer Support -
CBP - Workforce And Resiliency Division
Supervisory Leadership Training (SLT) -
CBP - Advanced Training Center
Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS) -
CBP - Advanced Training Center
Certificate of Leadership and Workforce Development - Leadership
The NCO Leadership Center of Excellence (Sergeants Major Academy)
Company Commander/First Sergeant Pre-Command Course -
Department of The Army
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit Commander and Staff Leader's Course -
United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence
Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I -
Joint Knowledge Online
Battle Staff NCO Course -
United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
Senior Leader Course -
80th QM BN, 1st BDE, 94TH DIV
Observer Coach/Trainer Course -
United States Army First Academy
National Honor Guard Academy -
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
CBP Officer - Law Enforcement
Federal Law Enforcement Center (FLETC)
Bachelors of Science - Criminal Justice
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Primary Leadership Development Course -
United States Army, NCO Academy
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