Security officer at Idaho Falls Regional Airport named national TSA Officer of the Year

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that Margaret Hanson, a TSA officer (TSO) at Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) has been named national TSO of the Year for 2021. This award recognizes integrity and professionalism as well as contributions made by the TSO to the overall efficiency of the security operations as well as their commitment to TSA, its stakeholders and the traveling public.

Nominated by her coworkers, TSO Hanson capably carries out her core security screening duties while also handling additional assignments that ensure smooth checkpoint operations. She serves as an On-the- Job coach, mentoring new TSOs while also managing the collection and accounting of currency left behind by travelers in the security checkpoint.

TSO Hanson shows exceptional care for her TSA colleagues. Starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing today, she ensures that adequate amounts of PPE have been ordered and are available for use by TSOs working around the public. She also makes sure frequently touched surface in the checkpoint are clean and safe to protect the health of the workforce. Her ongoing contributions have allowed TSA operations at IDA to remain mission ready.

“TSO Hanson is one of those people everyone would like to have on their team. She is selfless, hard-working, conscientious and always ready to help others,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Idaho Andy Coose. “Airport operations at IDA have grown very rapidly the past couple of years. Because of her commitment to the job and with the support of the entire TSA team, we have delivered ‘world class’ screening while providing the highest level of security.”

She is committed to customer service in her job. It is what makes her known among travelers as a standout at IDA.

“A friendly greeting, eye contact and focusing on one passenger at a time is key,” said TSO Hanson. “Providing the respect we all deserve goes a long way toward making the passengers’ experience pleasant.”

There are approximately 40,000 TSOs nationwide. TSO Hanson who has been with the agency since 2017 is one of two recipients in 2021. The other recipient of this year’s award is Colorado TSO Kaitlyn Talley.

TSA Hanson is the second national TSO of the Year from Idaho in the past two years. TSA named TSO Kimberlee Green (pictured with TSO Margaret Hanson) who works at Pocatello Regional Airport as TSO of the Year in 2020.

The annual TSA honorary awards recognize the agency’s highest performers and teams. The 2021award winners were announced virtually in mid-March by TSA Administrator David Pekoske from agency headquarters in Springfield, Virginia.