Masterminded Screener Federalization

The TSA said Tuesday that Deputy Administrator Stephen McHale will step down from his post later this month after 23 years of federal service.

McHale has served as Deputy of the agency since January 2002 and has had responsibility for overseeing the federalization of aviation security and the transfer of TSA from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in March 2003. He plans to spend the rest of the summer with his family, hiking in New Zealand and California, before pursuing opportunities in the private sector.

"It has been a pleasure working with Stephen McHale. He is a professional and his contributions to TSA’s mission in the war on terrorism are greatly appreciated," said Rear Adm. David M. Stone, TSA’s Acting Administrator

TSA Chief of Staff, Carol DiBattiste, will assume McHale’s duties as Acting Deputy Administrator following his departure.

"I am immensely proud of this organization and what we have accomplished," McHale said. "If you assess how much security has been strengthened in a short 2 ½ years, the phenomenal work done by TSA’s dedicated employees becomes obvious."

FMI: www.tsa.gov