White House Names LA Official to Head TSA

President Obama, filling a key transport position on the eve of the anniversary of September 11, named Los Angeles airports security chief Erroll Southers to head the Transportation Security Administration.

The nomination would put the longtime police officer, Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and leader in anti-terror efforts in California into a post that’s been vacant for more than eight months.

As assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration, Southers would lead the agency as it faces tough deadlines in the next two years for screening ocean and air cargo under controversial requirements set by Congress.

Southers is now assistant police chief for homeland security and intelligence at the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department, which oversees security at Southern California sites that include Los Angeles International Airport. He is also associate director at the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events at the University of Southern California.

“Erroll’s expertise in counterterrorism and airport security will be a great asset to the department in our efforts to ensure the safety of the nation’s transportation systems,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.