Security Policy Alert: TSA Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations Darby LaJoye to Retire
September 30, 2022
TSA announced that Darby LaJoye, Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, will retire effective October 22, 2022. Following is the full statement from TSA Administrator Pekoske to TSA employees announcing LaJoye's departure:
Colleagues,
Executive Assistant Administrator (EAA) Darby LaJoye has informed me that he will be retiring from federal service on October 22, 2022. It has been our good fortune to benefit from Darby's service as the leader of TSA's Security Operations and a member of TSA's Leadership Council.
For two decades, Darby honorably served in multiple positions at TSA, beginning on the frontlines and today leading our agency's largest office. Darby started his career with TSA in 2002 helping federalize airports in the Northeast and Midwest. He served in key roles in various field positions at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and as Federal Security Director of John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Los Angeles International (LAX) airports, two of TSA's largest field operations.
Darby's leadership in the field operation was on display during Hurricane Sandy, when he oversaw the incident response and ensured the safety of employees, logistical management of human and capital resources, and timely operation of airport activities. In 2013, he led TSA's response to a tragic active shooter event at LAX where TSO Gerardo Hernandez lost his life in the line of duty. Darby's efforts in response to that that tragic event led to national level changes in law enforcement and response notifications.
Darby was selected as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Security Operations in 2014 and eventually as the Assistant Administrator of the same office, where he brought with him a field perspective and an array of invaluable experience. From day one, Darby viewed headquarters as a support function for the frontline to accomplish TSA's important security mission. He recognized the efforts of the screening workforce through improvements in pay and mission support, while streamlining the standard operating procedures that guide the day-to-day efforts of our workforce. Darby also brought a new focus on the importance of TSA's regulatory compliance organization, especially TSA's Transportation Security Inspectors in the field. He developed and deployed the concept of Outcome Focused Compliance, which led to significant security improvements across the nation's transportation systems.
In 2018, Darby was promoted to EAA for Security Operations. Throughout his time as EAA, Darby has been focused on the security and safety of the American traveling public as well as the health and well-being of our frontline screening workforce. He led TSA's largest and most visible group through significant challenges, including the 35-day partial government shutdown in 2018/2019 and the past two and a half years of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, Darby enhanced and expanded our surface operations organization, which provides security solutions for the four modes of land-based transportation: mass transit, freight rail, highway motor carrier and pipeline.
He has overseen TSA's international operations, supporting the repatriation efforts of over 100,000 Americans at the onset of COVID-19, as well as our assistance in the evacuation of more than 76,000 people from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Welcome last fall. Darby also performed the duties of the Administrator for six months in 2021 while I served at the Department. In this role, he oversaw TSA's response to increased cybersecurity threats and attacks on surface transportation, implemented the federal mask mandate in public transportation, and led the rollout of unprecedented pay incentives for our frontline workforce. It is hard to overstate the impact of Darby's leadership on TSA operations around the globe.
Please join me in thanking Darby for his great service and dedication to our nation and in wishing him continued success.
AAAE joins TSA Administrator Pekoske in thanking Mr. LaJoye for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.
TSA announced that Darby LaJoye, Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, will retire effective October 22, 2022. Following is the full statement from TSA Administrator Pekoske to TSA employees announcing LaJoye's departure:
Colleagues,
Executive Assistant Administrator (EAA) Darby LaJoye has informed me that he will be retiring from federal service on October 22, 2022. It has been our good fortune to benefit from Darby's service as the leader of TSA's Security Operations and a member of TSA's Leadership Council.
For two decades, Darby honorably served in multiple positions at TSA, beginning on the frontlines and today leading our agency's largest office. Darby started his career with TSA in 2002 helping federalize airports in the Northeast and Midwest. He served in key roles in various field positions at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and as Federal Security Director of John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Los Angeles International (LAX) airports, two of TSA's largest field operations.
Darby's leadership in the field operation was on display during Hurricane Sandy, when he oversaw the incident response and ensured the safety of employees, logistical management of human and capital resources, and timely operation of airport activities. In 2013, he led TSA's response to a tragic active shooter event at LAX where TSO Gerardo Hernandez lost his life in the line of duty. Darby's efforts in response to that that tragic event led to national level changes in law enforcement and response notifications.
Darby was selected as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Security Operations in 2014 and eventually as the Assistant Administrator of the same office, where he brought with him a field perspective and an array of invaluable experience. From day one, Darby viewed headquarters as a support function for the frontline to accomplish TSA's important security mission. He recognized the efforts of the screening workforce through improvements in pay and mission support, while streamlining the standard operating procedures that guide the day-to-day efforts of our workforce. Darby also brought a new focus on the importance of TSA's regulatory compliance organization, especially TSA's Transportation Security Inspectors in the field. He developed and deployed the concept of Outcome Focused Compliance, which led to significant security improvements across the nation's transportation systems.
In 2018, Darby was promoted to EAA for Security Operations. Throughout his time as EAA, Darby has been focused on the security and safety of the American traveling public as well as the health and well-being of our frontline screening workforce. He led TSA's largest and most visible group through significant challenges, including the 35-day partial government shutdown in 2018/2019 and the past two and a half years of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, Darby enhanced and expanded our surface operations organization, which provides security solutions for the four modes of land-based transportation: mass transit, freight rail, highway motor carrier and pipeline.
He has overseen TSA's international operations, supporting the repatriation efforts of over 100,000 Americans at the onset of COVID-19, as well as our assistance in the evacuation of more than 76,000 people from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Welcome last fall. Darby also performed the duties of the Administrator for six months in 2021 while I served at the Department. In this role, he oversaw TSA's response to increased cybersecurity threats and attacks on surface transportation, implemented the federal mask mandate in public transportation, and led the rollout of unprecedented pay incentives for our frontline workforce. It is hard to overstate the impact of Darby's leadership on TSA operations around the globe.
Please join me in thanking Darby for his great service and dedication to our nation and in wishing him continued success.
AAAE joins TSA Administrator Pekoske in thanking Mr. LaJoye for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.
