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 the next Rising Star profile or view the full list of winners