Former Yuma agent heads El Centro Sector

The new chief patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol's El Centro Sector served five years in the Yuma Sector, including two years as the patrol agent in charge of the Wellton Station.

The selection of Carla Provost to the position was announced recently by David V. Aguilar, deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and by Border Patrol Chief Michael J. Fisher.

Throughout her 18-year career, Provost has served in a variety of supervisory, management and leadership positions throughout the Southwest border region.

Provost, who is in charge of the entire El Centro Sector, entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on Jan. 8, 1995, and was assigned as a agent to the Tucson Sector's Douglas Station. Over the years, she earned several promotions, including assistant chief patrol agent in the Yuma Sector in March 2006.

She became the patrol agent in charge of the Wellton Station in the Yuma Sector in January 2009. Then in January 2011, she was named to the senior executive service position of deputy chief patrol agent of the El Paso Sector.

Prior to joining the U.S. Border Patrol, Provost served for several years as a police officer with the Riley County Police Department in Manhattan, Kan.

Provost earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology and criminal justice at Kansas State University. She also earned a master of science degree in national-resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.