Pensioned Military and Lifelong Bureaucrats Fill Soft Seats

Under Secretary of Transportation for Security James M. Loy announced several key additions to the Transportation Security Administration management team. These appointments will drive continued operational, security and workplace improvements.

These new team members include Vice Adm. John E. Shkor as the new associate administrator/chief operating officer, and Gale Rossides, formerly associate under secretary for training and quality performance, as the associate administrator/chief support systems officer.  Additional team members include Carol DiBattiste as the new chief of staff for TSA, Kimberly Walton as the TSA ombudsman, and Dr. Cory de Groot Whitehead as the acting associate administrator for training and quality performance.

ViceAdmiral John E. Shkor has been named TSA chief operating officer and associate administrator.  He is a retired Coast Guard officer and was the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area commander from 1999 to 2001.

Gale Rossides has been named TSA chief support systems officer and associate administrator.  She has served as TSA associate under secretary for training and quality performance, and previously served as assistant director for training and professional development for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

Carol DiBattiste has been named chief of staff for TSA.  She most recently was a partner at Holland & Knight, LLC, and previously served as under secretary, U. S. Air Force, associate U.S. attorney, and as a major in the U.S. Air Force, retiring after 20 years of service.

Kimberly Hubbard Walton has been named TSA ombudsman. She most recently served as deputy chief administrative officer for human resources and administrative services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and was formerly the director for civil rights at the Department of Commerce. She holds a law degree from Catholic University.

Dr. Cory de Groot Whitehead has been appointed TSA’s acting associate administrator for training and quality performance.  She previously served as assistant administrator for government procurement, grants, and contracts at the Small Business Administration, and served for 26 years as a U.S. naval officer in the field of education and training.

FMI: www.tsa.gov