NBAA Welcomes Coast Guard Vice Commandant's Confirmation to Lead TSA

Washington, DC, Aug. 3, 2017 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today 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, a 33-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served as vice commandant prior to his retirement in 2010, is the 13th TSA administrator since the agency’s inception in 2001.

Pekoske is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy with a bachelor of science degree in ocean engineering. He also holds a master of public administration degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a master of business administration degree from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In his 33 years in the Coast Guard, Pekoske commanded six Coast Guard operational units. He served on the west, gulf and east coasts of the U.S. and on the Great Lakes. Pekoske also served as commander of Pacific Area/Coast Guard Defense Forces West in California, where he oversaw units performing marine safety, natural resource protection, homeland security and other missions. He retired as vice commandant of the Coast Guard in 2010 and has since worked in leadership roles in the private sector, as well as an adjunct professorial lecturer at American University.

Pekoske has been awarded the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (two awards) the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (4 awards) and the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon.

“We congratulate Administrator Pekoske on his new role as the leader of the TSA,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO. “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.”