Christopher R. Holtzer | Executive Director, Operations Directorate Office of Field Operations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Mr. Christopher R. Holtzer serves as the Executive Director, Operations Directorate for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) in Washington, D.C. In this position, he oversees operations nationwide in 19 field offices and 328 ports of entry and 33,000 employees. Previously, Mr. Holtzer served as Executive Director, Field Operations Academy, in Enterprise Services, Office of Training and Development, where he commands over 275 law enforcement and mission support personnel. In this role, he oversees the design, delivery, and evaluation of Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) basic and advanced training delivered at the Academy and in the field. Prior to leading training efforts for CBPOs, Mr. Holtzer was appointed as National Commander for the OFO Special Response Team (SRT) within OFO’s Operations Directorate. While serving as National Commander, he led over 140 SRT Operators nationwide in tactical operations and training delivery. Mr. Holtzer oversaw the annual execution of over 400 tactical operations both internationally and nationwide, which resulted in scores of significant arrests and provided critical support to interagency partners. In 2017, he led the deployment of 145 SRT Operators who provided critical tactical support to law enforcement efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Mr. Holtzer has also served in numerous training capacities at the OTD Advanced Training Center, to include Acting Assistant Director, Use of Force Training Branch; Supervisory Leadership Training Instructor; and Deputy Commander, CBP Quick Reaction Force. Mr. Holtzer joined the U.S. Customs Service on May 1, 2000, in the Chicago Field Office, at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. He also served at various southern and northern border ports of entry, including San Diego, El Paso, Blaine, Detroit, and Houlton. Mr. Holtzer has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.