Industry groups look to start dialogue with TSA

To air travelers and several lawmakers, the Transportation Security Administration may be one of the most reviled branches of the federal government. But some contractors see opportunity in it -- and one group is starting a dialogue to make it easier to do business with TSA.

The Washington Homeland Security Roundtable, a nonprofit membership organization comprised of Homeland Security Department contractors such as Adobe, Boeing Co. and IBM, announced Monday the creation of the WHSR-TSA Senior Executive Industry Forum. The forum will kick off with a meeting with TSA Administrator John Pistole on June 5 at Reagan National Airport in Washington.

“Our objective is really to have industry have an opportunity to work with the leadership of TSA,” WHSR Director Kay Olive told Government Executive. “I think they’re looking every way they can to improve and increase effectiveness, and we just want to help with that. Much like every agency out there, I think they’re just looking for opportunity.”

Membership will be limited to 50 industry representatives, with no more than one from each company. Registration opens Monday at noon. The forum will meet twice a year.