Gena Alexa: Securing U.S. land borders

2010 Rising Star winner Gena Alexa led the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a cross-agency program that uses radio frequency identification, license plate reader and biometrics technologies with Customs and Border Patrol intelligence systems to secure U.S. land borders.

Name: Gena Alexa (pronounced JEN-na a-LECK-sa)

Age: 34

Organization: Unisys

Title: Partner, Customs and Border Security, Federal Systems

Nominated for: Leading a contractor team responsible for implementing radio frequency identification and license plate reader technology that supports the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a cross-agency program to secure U.S. land borders that the Customs and Border Patrol agency oversees.

First IT mentor: My father, Jim Camooso, because he told me I can do anything I set my mind to, taught me to believe in myself, gave me my work ethic and led by example.

Latest accomplishment on the job: Making partner at Unisys.

Career highlight: Delivering the award-winning, congressionally mandated Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative — the first fully implemented 9/11 Commission land border recommendation — on time and on budget.

Favorite job-related bookmark: ITDashboard.gov

Favorite app: Google Earth.

Dream non-IT-related job: Travel and food critic.

Read more on Gena Alexa: Border work brings unexpected career path


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