President Obama has announced his intent to nominate retired Major General Robert A. Harding to head up the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a post that has been empty for more than a year.
Harding, whose military career spanned more than 30 years, is the former head of operations at the Defense Intelligence Agency where he oversaw security for embassies and government offices overseas.
He entered the private sector in 2003 as CEO and founder of Harding Security Associates, providing security solutions to the government, which he sold in 2009.
Obama's initial nominee for the position, Erroll G. Southers, withdrew his nomination after controversy over concerns that he used law enforcement databases for personal investigation.
Earlier,
Republican senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina stalled the nomination fearing that Southers would allow the TSA screeners to unionize.
Kip Hawley was the last permanent director of the TSA in the Bush administration. Gale Rossides has been serving as the acting administrator since then.
"I am confident that Bob's talent and expertise will make him a tremendous asset in our ongoing efforts to bolster security and screening measures at our airports," said President Obama in a written statement.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano applauded this move, noting that Major Harding's national security expertise and extensive experience would be an asset in protecting our nation's transportation systems.
The nomination now goes to the Senate for confirmation hearings.
By the Editorial Staff of PeterGreenberg.com.
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Whitehouse.gov,
New York Times,
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