The Association of Former Customs Special Agents was born from a vision to unite retired and former U.S. Customs Special Agents and employees. In 1992, retired Special Agent Bob Guthrie reached out to gauge interest, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. By 1994, the Association was officially incorporated as a non-profit, and our first convention was held, bringing together 34 founding members. Over the years, we’ve grown to nearly 1,000 members strong, fostering camaraderie, networking, and support for both current and retired Customs professionals. Today, we proudly honor the legacy of the U.S. Customs Service and the contributions of our members to the nation.

In November 1992, Retired U.S. Customs Special Agent Robert (Bob) Guthrie polled as many other retired Customs Special Agents as could be contacted to determine their interest in establishing an association for retired and former Customs Special Agents. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of establishing such an organization. Those polled also voted to offer Associate Membership to all former, retired, or soon to retire non-agent Customs employees.

In 1993, a steering committee was established, and in that same year, permission was received from the U.S. Customs Service to incorporate the U.S. Customs Special Agent badge into the Association’s logo. The original AFCSA logo/seal consists of our name encircling a Treasury blue background with the Special Agent badge we proudly wore in the center. It bears the year in which the U.S. Congress authorized the establishment of independent investigators for Customs.

In January 1994, the Association of Former Customs Special Agents was incorporated in the State of Florida and granted non-profit status by the IRS. George Corcoran, Jr., Marvin Miller, and Robert Guthrie were recorded as the initial incorporators. Later that year an organizational convention was convened in Orlando, Florida. Thirty-four (34) former Special Agents attended that first convention and ratified the Articles of Incorporation and Association By-Laws, thus becoming Founding Members. Donald E. Roberts was elected as the Association’s first President.

Our purpose was to foster comradeship, networking and communications among former Agents and employees, as well as, between former and current Customs Special Agents and employees and to create and maintain a network for finding suitable post-retirement employment for our members.

The Association of Former Customs Special Agents now stands at close to 1,000 members, with an average annual increase in membership of 50 new members. Our membership consists of retired and former U.S. Customs Special Agents, Pilots, Patrol Officers, Inspectors, K9 Officers, Import Specialists, District Directors, Commissioners, Deputy and Assistant Commissioners, Attorneys, Analysts and other vital former support personnel. Together, once members of the Customs Team and each proud of the Customs Service and of their contributions to both Customs and the Country.