TenaVel Thomas Becomes First Virgin Islander to Win Prestigious Arthur S. Fleming Award

Thomas defies gender norms to secure a high-level managerial position at U.S. Customs and Border Protection

TenaVel Thomas, who holds a high-level managerial position in the U.S Customs and Border Protections Agency’s Port of New York/Newark, is the first Virgin Islander to receive the Arthur S. Fleming Award nearly eight decades after its establishment.

Every year, twelve federal employees are selected for the prestigious award that celebrates outstanding work in fields including applied science and engineering, leadership and management, clinical trials, and translational research. Ms. Thomas was nominated by CBP, her agency, for her leadership and management prowess.