Employee Stories

From left, Academy East staff members Justin Philipbar, Jimmy Johnson, Scott Register, Elliott Rudolph, Training and Development (T&D) Assistant Administrator Kim Hutchinson, Virginia Polson, Enterprise Support Executive Assistant Administrator Julie Scanlon, Randy Glenn, Gerald Poole, Charles Gaetan III, Mary Bernardoni.  (Photo courtesy of TSA T&D)

TSA Academy celebrates milestone 100,000th graduate

September 28, 2023

If you’re a visual person needing a picture to help understand the magnitude of the recently celebrated 100,000th TSA Academy graduate, picture all of them shoulder to shoulder in the stands at Bryant-Denny Stadium on the campus of the University…

The pin designed and worn by TSA Team Nevada Gatekeeper team. “It’s simple, subtle but can be seen, which is what we expect of a Gatekeeper,” said Scott Hegyes, who leads Nevada’s OPR efforts.

TSA Question-Persuade-Refer gatekeeper conversations save lives

September 25, 2023

TSA Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) Gatekeepers Jose Delgado, Curtis Hensley and Scott Hegyes have stories to share in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 

At least three other people are alive to corroborate the details…

Indianapolis International Airport Expert Security Training Instructor Chris Mercado from Team Indiana pats down a volunteer during the 2023 TSA National Olympics checkpoint competition. (Photo by Kyle Martin)

Cream of the crop – Team Caribbean earns gold at TSA National Olympics

September 21, 2023

TSA’s best of the best traveled to the nation’s capital for a fierce competition but one that promoted unity and team building.

Over 100 TSA officers from 18 states and several territories put their security…

LIH STSOs Aaron Lin and Kalea Pereza. (Photo by LaVonne Pironti)

Kudos Across America – Līhuʻe, Hawaii

September 20, 2023

To Whom It May Concern:

I do not have enough moments in my lifetime to thank the Lihue International Airport (LIH) Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Delta Airlines staff that helped us get on our flight back to Los Angeles…

Training and Development Program Analyst Heiddy Rocha (TSA photo)

Employee spotlight: Heiddy Rocha celebrates Hispanic heritage

September 19, 2023

Heiddy Rocha runs at full throttle.

“Everything I do at TSA, I go full force,” said Rocha, a Training and Development program analyst. “I don't hold back. You get all of me in my personal and professional life.”

Depending on what…

Members of the Michigan TSA Honor Guard. From left, Officers Alfunzo Staley, Theresa Miller, Joanne Slaughter, Erin Leggett. (TSA Michigan Media photo)

TSA celebrates veterans on first-time Honor Flight at Flint

September 18, 2023

Life-lasting memories came roaring back for dozens of military veterans who put their lives on the line to secure our nation’s freedom, and TSA helped celebrate their service.

For the first time ever, an Honor…

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Lead TSA Officer Thomas Stein gives some Baltimore students an up close look at TSA’s screening operation at BWI. (TSA BWI photo)

‘Sky is the limit’ – TSA gives youth VIP treatment, career ideas at BWI

September 15, 2023

TSA was at the center of a special VIP experience for dozens of Baltimore kids, many of whom may now be considering careers in the transportation world.

Fifty youth, aged 10 to 16, from the city’s recreation…

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Supervisory TSA Officer Jonathan Curbis and TSA Officer Matt Wieckowicz. Not pictured, TSA Officer Ola Soltysyk. (Photo by Shaquita Selvy)

Kudos Across America - Chicago

September 14, 2023

To whom it may concern:

I am a disabled traveler, and I just came through security at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). I have a Florida driver’s license, and when my license was run in the TSA system (TDC), it didn’t come up as…

Third-generation TSA uniform (TSA photo)

9/11 Marks 15th Anniversary of TSA’s Iconic Blue Uniforms

September 12, 2023

The blue uniforms TSA officers wear every day as they screen passengers and bags at more than 400 airports across the country are instantly recognizable. Over the last decade and a half, the true-blue uniforms have helped give TSA’s hardworking…

Jenel Chang speaking during a Miami International Airport (MIA) press conference. (Photo courtesy of Jenel Chang)

TSA’s Trailblazer Award winner Jenel Chang

September 5, 2023

“Never forget where you started,” Jenel Chang said.

It’s a phrase the Large Hub Executive Director has kept close throughout her more than 20-year TSA career where different roles brought her to new cities, airports and communities. Chang…

Michigan TSA Federal Security Director Reggie Stephens speaks with students from the Detroit Police Prep Academy. (Photo courtesy of TSA DTW)

Intelligence, explosives, dogs, Federal Air Marshals - teen law enforcement hopefuls see it all at DTW

August 31, 2023

A career in law enforcement – that’s the dream of 50 Detroit teenagers who got a first-hand look at TSA’s security operations at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

The teens, students from the…

Newark Liberty International Airport TSA Officer Emma Denby concentrates as she checks IDs at the travel document checker position. (Photo by Almetra Strand)

TSA officer follows facts, catches fake ID at Newark checkpoint

August 30, 2023

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) TSA Officer Emma Denby was working at the travel document checker (TDC) position when a female passenger arrived at the checkpoint for screening. Denby asked for ID, and…

The downtown Cleveland skyline. (Shutterstock image)

Kudos Across America – Cleveland

August 28, 2023

On an evening at the end of her shift, TSA Officer Jill Nagel helped my 82-year-old mother while she was stranded at the Cleveland Hopkins (International) Airport as the airline did nothing [to assist].

Officer Nagel helped her secure a…

Senior leaders at the time of the agency’s inception. Seated from left, Ashley Cannatti, Ralph Basham, Gale Rossides, Stephen McHale and Lana Tannozzini. Standing from left, Tony Woo, Francine Kerner, John Magaw and Kevin Houlihan. (Photo courtesy of TSA Historian)

Celebrating Women’s Equality Day: Why TSA Chief Counsel Francine Kerner’s work matters

August 25, 2023

Francine Kerner can give a master class in being professionally underestimated because of her gender.

Barrow (Utqiaġvik) Alaska.  (Shutterstock image)

Kudos Across America – Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Alaska

August 22, 2023

Wiley Post – Will Rogers Memorial Airport TSA Officer Bob Seashoals deserves to be recognized as an outstanding employee. He instantly recognizes when people need help and acts to the extreme ends of his ability to…

This SUV flipped over on Southern State Parkway about 10 miles from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. (Photo by Richard White)

SUV flips near JFK; TSA officers pull woman from wreckage

August 21, 2023

A pair of TSA officers from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) turned into instant heroes while on their way home from work.

An elderly woman flipped her SUV on the Southern State Parkway on…

Fayetteville Regional Airport TSA Officer Amilia Pierre works an X-ray rotation. (Photo by William DeSalvo

Haitian Creole connects passenger and North Carolina TSA officer

August 16, 2023

Rarely is anyone at North Carolina’s Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) asked to translate Haitian Creole at the checkpoint, but for Haitian-born TSA Officer Amilia Pierre, the…

Chicago Midway International Airport TSA Officer Ramon Caballero working at the checkpoint. (Photo courtesy of Ramon Caballero)

Officer’s attention to detail catches felon at checkpoint

August 15, 2023

A routine document check resulted in a passenger fleeing down the halls of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). The discovery was made by TSA Officer Ramon Caballero, a rookie fresh off new hire training.

It was his first big…

NYC photo

Kudos Across America – Queens, New York

August 11, 2023

Mr. Krulish (John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Supervisory TSA Officer Frank Krulish) called my cell on Father’s Day. The first time he called, (since I did not recognize his number), I did not answer. He persisted and called again, and…

First responders on the scene of the one-car accident Boston Logan International Explosives Detection Canine Handlers Janet Goodness and Brandon Denneen encountered on their way to work. (Photo courtesy of TSA BOS)

Boston Logan International airport TSA canine handlers assist motorist is dire circumstances

August 11, 2023

Seeing a sea of car brake lights spotlighted against the predawn sky, TSA Explosives Detection Canine Handlers Janet Goodness and Brandon Denneen slowed their vehicles along with the rest of the commuters on the busy, elevated expressway.