About Us
Michelle Ferrara
CEO, Co-Founder
William A. Ferrara
President, Co-Founder
Meet William A. Ferrara, a distinguished leader with an impressive career in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Throughout his journey, Mr. Ferrara has held various key positions, showcasing his commitment to national security, lawful travel, and trade facilitation.
As President and co-founder of Harbour Island Consulting, Mr. Ferrara executes the company’s client-centric approach, offering a deep understanding of government intricacies. He works closely with clients to help them understand their challenges and delivers tailored strategies that have consistently led to successful outcomes. Since its inception, he has been instrumental in streamlining internal processes, fostering strong client relationships, and ensuring the highest levels of operational efficiency and quality. With a focus on delivering results, he oversees all client engagements, ensuring projects are executed with precision, on time, and to the highest standards, consistently surpassing client expectations.
As the Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP's Office of Field Operations (OFO), Mr. Ferrara lead a workforce of over 33,000 employees, which included more than 28,000 CBP Officers and CBP Agriculture Specialists. He expertly managed an annual budget of $7.2 billion dedicated to the smooth functioning of CBP's ports of entry and several critical programs.
Furthermore, in his role as the Executive Assistant Commissioner for Operations Support, Mr. Ferrara provided exceptional leadership across six subcomponents, each with distinct capabilities crucial for supporting CBP operations and mission execution. These subcomponents included the Office of Intelligence, Information and Incident Coordination Center, Laboratories and Scientific Services, Law Enforcement Safety and Compliance, Office of International Affairs, and Planning, Analysis, and Requirements Evaluation Directorate.
His dedication to international collaboration was evident as he served as the Acting Attaché to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In this capacity, Mr. Ferrara engaged with senior policymakers, offering valuable insights and expertise to support DHS goals and navigate the complexities surrounding the U.K.'s exit from the European Union (BREXIT).
Before his impressive roles in Washington, D.C., Mr. Ferrara served as the Director of Field Operations (DFO) for both the Boston and Chicago Field Offices. During his tenure in Boston, he directed CBP operations for the New England six-state region, overseeing the activities of 1,100 employees and managing the arrival of millions of international travelers and billions of dollars in imported goods. In Chicago, he exhibited remarkable leadership, overseeing operations throughout most of the Midwest and managing various ports of entry and facilities in 12 states.
Mr. Ferrara's journey began in 1989 when he joined the U.S. Customs Service as a Customs Inspector stationed at the Calexico Port of Entry on the southwest border. His career has been enriched by a wealth of experience, which he further developed through his education, including an Associate of Arts degree in Business from the Community College of Rhode Island and completing the CBP Leadership Institute program at the esteemed University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
William A. Ferrara's remarkable track record and diverse expertise have undoubtedly made a lasting impact on U.S. Customs and Border Protection, leaving a legacy of excellence and dedication to national security and effective border operations.
Meet Michelle Ferrara, a dynamic and versatile leader with an extensive career in education, consulting, and customer service.
Throughout her journey, Ms. Ferrara has held various key positions, showcasing her commitment to client satisfaction, operational efficiency, and fostering engaging learning environments.
As the CEO and co-founder of Harbour Island Consulting, LLC in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Ms. Ferrara leads the company with a strong focus on developing business strategies that prioritize client needs and compliance. Since founding the firm, she has expertly guided its growth, streamlined processes, and cultivated robust client relationships, all while maintaining high operational standards.
Before her venture into consulting, Ms. Ferrara honed her expertise in customer service at TEKSYSTEMS in Downers Grove, Illinois. She managed weekly payroll processing for over 100 contractors and served as the primary contact for resolving contractor issues and facilitating smooth onboarding processes, ensuring accurate data collection and verification through meticulous attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
Ms. Ferrara's first love was in education where she enriched young minds as an English Teacher at F.W. Hartnett Middle School in Blackstone, Massachusetts; Oakland Mills Middle School in Columbia, Maryland; and as an English/Geography Teacher at Calais Middle School in Calais, Maine. In these roles, she designed and implemented engaging English and Language Arts curricula aligned with state standards, leading to improved standardized test scores. Her collaborative approach with colleagues enhanced educational delivery and streamlined curriculum development across teams. Her passion for education and ability to create supportive learning environments left a lasting impact on her students.
Her dedication to communication and community engagement was further evident during her tenure as the Newsletter Editor at the United States Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario. Ms. Ferrara curated content for the weekly "Maple Leaf" newsletter, collaborating with embassy staff and international counterparts to highlight community events and ensure high-quality publications.
Ms. Ferrara's journey began with a solid educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Rhode Island. Her commitment to continuous learning and excellence has been a cornerstone of her diverse career.
Michelle Ferrara's remarkable track record and multifaceted expertise have undoubtedly made a significant impact across the sectors she has served. Her legacy of excellence, leadership, and dedication continues to drive success for her clients and the organizations she leads.