White House appoints acting TSA administrator

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Dave Stone has been tapped as the new acting administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

Homeland Security Department Secretary Tom Ridge announced Stone's appointment last week. Stone became TSA's deputy chief of staff in August, after serving as the first federal security director for Los Angeles International Airport.

"During his assignment at Los Angeles International Airport, TSA was able to mobilize, train and deploy the largest federalized screener workforce in the Untied States two weeks before the national deadline," TSA officials said in a press release.

While in the Navy, Stone was commander of the Nimitz Battle Group and NATO's Naval Force Mediterranean group, and had several assignments at the Pentagon in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Stone's appointment was necessary to replace a vacancy created when Adm. James Loy was sworn in as deputy secretary of the Homeland Security Department last week, said TSA spokesman Darrin Kayser.

An airport industry official said Stone had a good reputation at the Los Angeles airport for fostering cooperation between airport security personnel, airport management and the city.

"The more cooperation we have between federal security directors, airport directors and the airports, the better off we're all going to be," said the official, who asked not to be identified. "Stone has a partnership approach and from our standpoint that is positive."

Before Stone's appointment, some industry and labor officials speculated that TSA Deputy Administrator Stephen McHale might be tapped to replace Loy. However, McHale is generally seen as being better with the nuts and bolts of agency management than occupying a high-profile administrator position.

Because Loy and Stone both served as commanders, they have the ability to stand up for an agency like TSA in front of both Congress and the public, as well as handle any national emergencies that may arise, the official said.

"These are guys who are experienced in the high politics of both public policy and intra-administration policy," the official said.

The official said Stone will need to maintain TSA's focus on aviation security, but also direct resources to securing other transportation modes, some of which have yet to receive much attention.

The official also said Stone will have to grapple with whether TSA should continue its dual role of managing passenger and baggage screeners at the nation's airports while also enforcing aviation security regulations.