Serina Jo Baker-Hill
Detroit,MI
Summary
My 39 years of Federal service has been nothing short of amazing, of which the last 16 years were planted in leading, coaching, mentoring and touching the lives of many. My leadership has aided employees in discovering their innate strengths, which ultimately builds character and purpose. The relationships fostered - locally, nationally and internationally will be a driving force in the near future.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Center Director
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
06.2022 - 05.2025
- Served as the Center Director of the Automotive and Aerospace Center of Excellence & Expertise (Center) with direct reporting to the Director of Field Operations. I was the 4th line principal advisor within the Center who oversaw the daily post release processing of all automotive & aerospace importations entering the United States. Led, mentored and coached 230 employees, across 43 ports of entry. Set a tone of trust, good rapport and inclusivity. I regularly represented Customs and Border Protection by regularly providing presentations to address Trade and the Center at annual Automotive Industry Action Group Conference, Aerospace/Defense Industry Association Group meetings And Trade Summit. Led meetings with industry stakeholders, importers and senior-level Headquarters officials. Held one-on-one meetings to answer complex trade issues/concerns. Met with local and national stakeholders to include importers, brokers, automotive and aerospace industry leaders to ensure open communication.
- Developed and implemented emergency response plans for disasters, security issues, and injuries.
- Managed yearly budgets for supplies, equipment, travel and awards.
- Worked collaboratively with human resources to design recruitment efforts for new staff and recommended new selections for hire.
- Monitored daily cash/check discrepancies due to collection of duties, taxes and fees on importations entering the commerce of the United States.
- Served as point of contact on Labor Employee Relations and National Treasury Employee Union matters for management's responses to inquiries on personnel issues.
Assistant Center Director
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
02.2017 - 06.2022
- I served as the Assistant Center Director of the Automotive and Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise (Center) with direct reporting to the Center Director. I was the third line principal advisor of the Partnership Division of the Center, overseeing the daily import/cargo operations for multiple disciplines. I led a staff of 60 employees of varying disciplines. I coordinated and directed the Center's first open season for Alternate Work Schedule for bargaining unit employees as a result of a negotiated agreement between CBP and the National Treasury Employees Union. Moreover, to ensure the accurate collection of duties for steel and aluminum tariffs, I oversaw the creation of a daily report to capture all entries to be addressed by the Automotive and Aerospace Center. The Center protected several million in revenue for steel and aluminum tariffs. I directed and managed numerous national trade enforcement-related programs intended to address entry and import summary enforcement activities in the entry summary, passenger and cargo environments.
- I provided oversight in reviewing and approving budget requests and expenditures for the Center ensuring that large equipment and supplies were allocated. I consistently utilized the allocated funds to ensure that port and Center equipment and/or supplies are managed in an effective and efficient manner.
- Served as key management official responsible for the mediation of EEO complaints.
Supervisory Entry Specialist/Entry Director
Port of Detroit
05.2016 - 02.2017
- This promotion allowed me to serve as the Entry Director with direct reporting to the Port Director and the Assistant Director of the Automotive & Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise (A&A CEE). In this leadership position, I was primary contact of the collection and entry summary processes. I served as second line supervisor providing oversight of the entry collection process, ensuring that all supervisory entry specialists were adequately executing plans for report/audit accountability purposes. I functioned as the Field Office liaison for all Headquarters' related KPMG collection audit inquiries; making certain that all parties involved provided the necessary response for audit findings. I was the responsible technical expert for the Entry Branch overseeing all Trade operations in both facilities for Entry and Post Entry Operations.
- This position allowed me to utilize the Trade expertise gained from previous positions in which I held as Entry Specialist, Import Specialist, Senior Import Specialist, Supervisory Import Specialist and Acting Assistant Port Director Trade. As the Entry Specialist position continued to transition into the Centers of Excellence and Expertise, I provided oversight of the changes that were occurring in the Automated and Commercial Environment (ACE) and developed plans of action to ensure the migration was grasped by internal and external partners.
Acting Assistant Port Director Trade
Port of Detroit
02.2015 - 04.2016
- I served as the Acting Assistant Port Director – Trade with direct reporting to the Port Director as the primary leadership advisor on all trade operation management matters associated with programs and operations. I was 3rd line manager in this position, manager to the Entry Director and Supervisory Import and Entry Specialists. During this temporary position, executed one of a smooth transition of all import specialists to the Centers of Excellence and Expertise, in which the task was successfully accomplished. I directed and managed a myriad of trade enforcement-related programs designed to address entry and import summary enforcement activities in the entry summary, passenger and cargo environments. I provided oversight directing the development and deployment of local special operations aimed at addressing high-risk areas of concern in the trade environments.
- I ensured that all supervisory import and entry specialists were adequately executing plans for report accountability purposes. I was the accountable technical expert on trade enforcement issues and as subject matter expert on port specific matters. I provided oversight for the agency and the Port of Detroit in periodically established internal and private sector inter-agency working groups and conferences dealing with an array of issues.
Supervisory Import Specialist
Port of Detroit Metropolitan Airport
12.2010 - 02.2015
- I served as the Supervisory Import Specialist with the direct reporting to the Assistant Port Director - Trade as the principal advisor for an eclectic spectrum of commodities as it relates to enforcement, classification and appraisement. I ensured that port personnel under my direction utilized the appropriate laws and regulations when determining the outcome of all formal entries. I regularly coordinated with Customs & Border Protection Officers, Agriculture Specialists and Entry Specialists to ensure that deadlines were completed timely and efficiently to accomplish the mission.
- I created an environment that promoted teamwork and supplied every employee with an equal opportunity to succeed and accomplish personal goals. I evaluated and monitored the work product of import specialists, established and recommended performance standards and provided evaluations for forwarding to higher management. I routinely evaluated employee's performance and conduct, while providing positive feedback for good performance, as well as, addressing poor performance through constructive counseling and resolving disciplinary actions immediately to prevent an undesirable impact on morale and the accomplishment of the mission.
Senior Import Specialist
Port of Detroit Metropolitan Airport
10.2009 - 12.2010
- This position was the beginning of my leadership journey. I served as the Senior Import Specialist with direct reporting to the Supervisory Import Specialist as the team leader in which I planned, assigned and provided technical guidance and oversight to a team of import specialists. I worked constructively with others to reach mutually acceptable agreements. I supported the Supervisory Import Specialist with the accurate completion of reports and logs to ensure the port was reflected upon positively during the audit process. I identified and utilized innovative and creative methods and solutions to accomplish work within the team.
- I developed a team assignment log which handled a backlog of assignments that existed prior to my appointment and was greatly utilized for accountability. I educated external parties on complex importing practices and worked to set expectations and kept them informed of issues or problems.
Education
Bachelors of Arts - Psychology
Wayne State University
Graduate - undefined
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection Leadership Institute
05.2023
Graduate - undefined
U.S Customs and Border Protection Supervisory Leadership Training
Harper's Ferry, WV05.2010
Skills
- Employee training and coaching
- Community and family engagement
- US trade policy contributor
- Emergency response
- Develop, establish and recommend performance standards
Timeline
Center Director
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
06.2022 - 05.2025
Assistant Center Director
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
02.2017 - 06.2022
Supervisory Entry Specialist/Entry Director
Port of Detroit
05.2016 - 02.2017
Acting Assistant Port Director Trade
Port of Detroit
02.2015 - 04.2016
Supervisory Import Specialist
Port of Detroit Metropolitan Airport
12.2010 - 02.2015
Senior Import Specialist
Port of Detroit Metropolitan Airport
10.2009 - 12.2010
Graduate - undefined
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection Leadership Institute
Graduate - undefined
U.S Customs and Border Protection Supervisory Leadership Training
Bachelors of Arts - Psychology
Wayne State University