What is your role with TSA?

As the director of the national REAL ID program, I drive the integration of all REAL ID initiatives across TSA and collaborate with the 56 licensing jurisdictions, other government agencies and our aviation, travel and tourism industry partners. I provide the strategic direction for the enforcement of the program and manage our national advertising campaign and partnership marketing initiatives. For instance, this spring, our national advertising campaign was focused on letting the public know that REAL ID enforcement was coming and [providing tips for] how to get their REAL ID while educating them on other forms of acceptable ID at TSA checkpoints.

All of our industry partners have been incredibly engaged, pushing REAL ID content through their communication channels to their customers, collectively reaching millions of travelers. DMVs have been especially innovative in their state campaigns, including offering mobile enrollments and leveraging local partnerships. Associations, airlines, airports, corporations and travel agencies all recognize the value of REAL ID in terms of security and customer experience. Sharing the benefits of REAL ID reflects well on their organizations as trusted advisors to their customers.

How did you start at TSA?

I served in the Air Force for 20 years in intelligence. When 9/11 occurred, I was still on active duty in the Air Force. When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was stood up, I took a great interest in that, and my desire was to come and work for the DHS. I was fortunate enough to be hired upon my retirement from the Air Force. I began my career with TSA in the Office of Intelligence. Prior to the REAL ID program, I managed the TSA PreCheck program as the executive lead. In that role, I integrated all the TSA PreCheck initiatives within TSA; collaborated with other federal agencies, aviation and travel industry partners; and significantly grew enrollments.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

I’m incredibly proud of the team at TSA for their hard work and dedication in developing a solid plan to enforce REAL ID on May 7, 2025. The REAL ID Act was written in 2005, and the enforcement date has been extended several times, all for good reasons. It was a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission to create minimum standards for producing licenses and state IDs. It’s another layer of security that TSA executes to meet our mission of protecting the nation’s transportation systems to allow freedom of movement for people in commerce. Knowing the security benefits REAL ID brings, I couldn’t be happier or prouder that we are now enforcing the act.

What are your goals for the future?

As we move into the future, I intend to focus my work on identity assurance. This delivers a higher level of confidence that people are who they say they are and maintains the security of related documents. Somewhere way down the road, I do plan to retire and travel at my leisure.