Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger Selected By President Obama For The Post

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said he welcomes the announcement that President Obama has nominated Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger as the sixth administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Neffenger has served as vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since May 2014.

“NBAA thanks the president for nominating Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger as TSA administrator,” Bolen said. “In his more than 30 years of service in the Coast Guard, he has held numerous posts where he has been responsible for securing the nation’s transportation infrastructure, while working with the public to promote free and open commerce.”

Neffenger joined the Coast Guard in 1981 and has held several leadership roles, including deputy commandant for operations, director of strategic management and doctrine, and deputy national incident commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The last TSA administrator to be appointed from the Coast Guard was Adm. James Loy, who led the newly created agency from 2002 to 2003. Neffenger’s nomination would replace John Pistole, the previous TSA administrator, who retired from public service in October 2014.

“We anticipate that Neffenger will bring the same risk-based approach to transportation security that Loy did and will continue the great work and effective leadership of former administrator John Pistole,” said Bolen. “We look forward to working with him in the months ahead.”

The selection was praised by NATA as well.

“NATA commends President Obama for his selection of Vice Admiral Peter T. Neffenger as the next Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration," the trade group said in a statement.

"Admiral Neffenger’s vast experience and commitment to protecting the nation’s security is second to none and he is a worthy choice to lead this key agency, the face of homeland security to most Americans. We look forward to continue working with TSA to promote risk-based security programs that greatly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of airport checkpoint security screening for both crewmembers and the traveling public.”

“Ensuring the safety and security of the travelling public requires forward thinking collaboration between federal agencies and aviation industry stakeholders, including airports and airlines," the Airports Council International-North America said in a statement posted on the organization's website.

"Vice Admiral Neffenger’s background in crisis management and port security will be valuable in continuing TSA’s leadership in aviation security. After confirmation by the U.S. Senate, ACI-NA looks forward to working with him to advance risk-based security initiatives that will help to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public.”

FMI: www.nbaa.org, www.nata.aero, www.aci-na.org