The Houlton Sector of the Border Patrol has welcomed a new leader, Juan G. Bernal, who was recently appointed as the new Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) by Chief Jason Owens. Bernal succeeds Acting CPA Dennis W. Harmon, who led the Border Patrol in the region following the retirement of William J. Maddocks in June 2023.

Bernal expressed his gratitude and commitment to his new role stating, "It is an honor to join the ranks of the men and women of Houlton Sector. Our primary mission is to protect America by securing the borders. Houlton Sector has a long tradition of doing just that and I look forward to contributing to that legacy."

According to a news release from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Bernal, now the 28th CPA of Houlton Sector, previously served as acting CPA for Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector in Texas. His responsibilities included overseeing more than 2,000 agents and support personnel managing a 242-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bernal's career with the Border Patrol began on June 22, 1997, with his first assignment at Douglas Station in Tucson Sector after graduating from the 341st Session of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Academy, as per CBP's news release. During his tenure at Douglas Station, Bernal completed a rigorous course called Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR), which involved training in swift water rescues and tactical medicine.

In addition to his extensive experience within Border Patrol, Bernal is also an alumnus of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy's Session 268, according to CBP's news release. Over his 26-year career span with Border Patrol, he has held numerous supervisory positions and contributed towards securing both northern and southern borders of the U.S. Notably, he once served as the acting CBP attache in the Dominican Republic.