Intelligence and Analysis Assistant Administrator

Nancy Nykamp has served as the Assistant Administrator (AA) for TSA’s Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) office since June 2020. She oversees intelligence activities and 24/7 vetting operations to identify and mitigate threats to the nation’s transportation system. Nykamp leads TSA’s efforts in intelligence-based targeting of high risk passengers while overseeing agency-wide intelligence requirements, reporting and analysis. Nykamp also coordinates collaboration and intelligence sharing efforts with aviation and surface stakeholders.

Nykamp directs TSA’s National Transporation Vetting Center with 24/7 operations at three locations, vetting up to 2 million passengers daily for all flights within, departing from, arriving to, and over the U.S. She is also responsible for overseeing joint TSA-Customs and Border Protection 24/7 air cargo advanced screening operations, Security Threat Assessments, and vetting of more than 23 million workers in the U.S. transportation sector.

Prior to her appointment as AA, Nykamp served as Deputy Assistant Administrator and Executive Director in I&A. Nykamp also worked as Senior Liaison for DHS Policy in TSA’s Policy, Plans and Engagement office, where she supported the Secretary’s Unity of Effort initiative to improve efficiencies across the Homeland Security Enterprise.

Earlier in her tenure at TSA and DHS, Nykamp served as the TSA Representative and Attaché in Berlin, Germany; Senior Advisor to the TSA Deputy Administrator; Senior Counselor to the Assistant Secretary and Chief Diplomat for International Affairs at DHS; and Deputy Federal Security Director at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Before joining TSA, Nykamp worked as a Department of Defense Senior Civilian in the Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and U.S. Army Forces Command. Nykamp also served 20+ years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a Military Intelligence Officer, during which she commanded several operational intelligence organizations and served as a Senior Intelligence Officer during multiple combat and multi-national missions. Nykamp’s military career also included service in the Executive Office of the President under both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Nykamp is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executive Fellows program. She earned a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University and a Bachelor of Science from Bucknell University. Honors and awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Presidential Service Badge, CIA Director’s Medallion, U.S. Army Master Parachutist Badge, U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, and German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge.