NBAA and GAMA support homeland security appointee
David Pekoske
Both the National Business Aviation Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association have welcomed the confirmation of Vice Commandant David P Pekoske, USCG (ret.) to be assistant secretary of homeland security at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Pekoske (pictured) is a 33-year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he served as vice commandant before retiring in 2010. He has become the 13th TSA administrator since the agency’s inception in 2001.
Since retiring, he has worked in leadership roles in the private sector, and as an adjunct professorial lecturer at American University.
Ed Bolen, president and CEO of NBAA, said: “We congratulate Administrator Pekoske on his new role as the leader of the TSA. NBAA has had a positive relationship with previous TSA administrators, and we look forward to working with Administrator Pekoske in the same manner to implement risk-based security measures.
“His extensive experience in risk assessment and leadership will be assets to the agency and to our industry as we work together to mitigate security risks through measured, reasonable and workable policies.”
Corporate Jet Investor asked Doug Carr, vice president, Regulatory and International Affairs, about the relationship between the NBAA and the TSA.
He said that the organisations have worked closely in the past on all matters regarding security and will work together to reduce security risks to all who use aviation.
“The US faces a number of risks, and both the NBAA and the TSA are doing all they can to protect the people and the nation,” he said.
Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the GAMA, said: “GAMA looks forward to advancing general aviation security under Administrator Pekoske.
“Under his leadership, we hope to continue work we began under former TSA Administrators to make current programmes more effective and efficient, while maintaining the high level of safety and security that all users of the system and the flying public deserve.
Administrator Pekoske was appointed on 4 August and was sworn in on 10 August.
