DOT News Masthead

DOT 38-02 
Friday, April 12, 2002
Contact:  Nico Melendez    
Tel.:  (202) 366-4570

Hall Named Federal Security Director for JFK Airport

U.S. Under Secretary of Transportation for Security John W. Magaw today announced that William Hall will serve as Federal Security Director (FSD) for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The position of Federal Security Director was created by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, signed by President Bush on Nov. 19, 2001.  That legislation created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation to centralize transportation security responsibilities under the newly created position of Under Secretary of Transportation for Security.  FSDs are a new category of federal law enforcement within TSA, under Magaw’s direction, who will oversee federal security operations at the nation's airports.

"As our country's military forces fight the war on terrorism overseas, Chief Hall has the responsibility of working with our airline and airport partners, and demanding the best from his employees, to ensure they uphold TSA's commitment to first class security and first class customer service, as we all fight the war on terrorism at home." Magaw said.  “I congratulate Chief Hall and welcome him to the TSA team.”

Joining Magaw for the announcement were New York Gov. George E. Pataki and New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey.

Prior to becoming FSD for JFK Airport, Hall served as chief of police for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.  He joined the Port Authority in 1971, holding every uniformed rank over his 31-year career.  He directed early search and rescue operations during the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.  He also served as liaison to the Manhattan criminal courts, and commanded search and rescue operations in the PATH rail system during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Hall has a diploma in police management from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY.

FSDs will be responsible for a full range of airport security, enforcement and oversight, including:

 

·        The efficient implementation, performance and enhancement of security and screening standards for airport employees;           

·        Airport security risk assessments;

·        Supervision of federal law enforcement activity within the purview of the TSA; and

·        Organizing and implementing the Federal Security Crisis Management Response Plan for each airport.

The TSA is currently working with Korn-Ferry International to fill positions at the nation's 81 top airports. A similar process will be used to continue recruitment for FSD positions in the balance of the nation's 429 airports. So far, over 9,500 applications have been submitted for these positions.

 

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