Acquisition Program Management

Mario Wilson became the Assistant Administrator for Acquisition Program Management in April 2020. In this role and as TSA’s Component Acquisition Executive, Wilson leads over 400 acquisition and technical professionals responsible for acquiring goods and services valued at nearly $1 billion annually, maintaining over 16,000 security screening systems, and leading associated acquisition programs.

Previously, he served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for APM since March 2019. Prior to this role, Wilson served as Director for the Checkpoint Solutions and Integration Division, where he functioned as the Program Manager of the Passenger Screening Program and directed the activities of the Security Technology Integrated Program. He was responsible for the development, test, procurement, deployment, installation, sustainment, network integration, and recapitalization of checkpoint related transportation security equipment across approximately 440 federalized airports to ensure screening of passengers and their accessible property for explosive threats and prohibited items.

Wilson also served as Director of the Checked Baggage Technologies Division and the Program Manager of the Electronic Baggage Screening Program. As with checkpoint systems, he was responsible for the full acquisition life cycle for equipment used to screen checked baggage. Prior to joining TSA, Wilson served as a Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate program manager, Department of Defense’s Joint IED Defeat Organization project manager, and Verizon Business project and crisis manager. He also served 16 years in the United States Navy, where he completed four combat tours as a naval aviator and one combat tour with the United States Army Infantry as an Electronic Warfare Officer.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Human Resources Development from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from Regis University. Wilson’s awards and recognitions include the 2014 DHS Program Manager of the Year, the 2015 TSA Employee of the Year, the 2017 Airport Consultants Council Agency Best Practices Award, and the 2018 TSA Core Values Award.