Date: December 9, 2020
To: All TSA Employees
From: David P. Pekoske
Administrator
Subject:
100 – DHS Secretary’s Awards – TSA Employee Winners
Today, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf announced the DHS Secretary’s Awards winners.
Please join me in congratulating the distinguished men and women of TSA who DHS identified for their extraordinary accomplishments. Selection for a DHS Secretary’s Award is a remarkable achievement, and I am incredibly proud these employees have been recognized for a job well done, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made 2020 a very challenging year for all of us.
COVID-19 Pandemic Heroism
· Team LaGuardia, Security Operations, LaGuardia Airport, New York
TSA Team LaGuardia displayed uncommon bravery and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic that crippled New York City. Despite the initial lack of adequate personal protective equipment, dangerous commuting conditions, and a healthcare system paralyzed by the virus, Team LaGuardia helped New York's top domestic airport, located at the nation's pandemic epicenter, remain open and operationally efficient.
Meritorious Service Silver Medal
· John Beattie, Executive Director of Intelligence, TSA Headquarters
Under John’s leadership, TSA enhanced its intelligence capabilities, creating an Indications and Warning Intelligence Watch system equipped with the latest technology to detect transportation threats worldwide and alert stakeholders in real time. He implemented analytic tradecraft training, allowing TSA to publish reports to intelligence community standards, and formed TSA's Aviation Domain Intelligence Integration & Analysis Cell, ensuring airline stakeholders receive daily intelligence updates to increase threat awareness.
Exemplary Service
· Maria Franco, Program Assistant, Federal Air Marshal Service, West Orange, New Jersey
Due to a staffing shortage of Program Assistants (PA), Maria took on additional flying squads, assisting five flying and three ground-based squads. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria went into the office to complete numerous administrative tasks. She also supported FAMs with scheduling their medical and hearing appointments and was selected for the TSA Rising Leader Development Program. Maria serves as a mentor for new PAs and is the unofficial team leader for the section.
· Rashur Singh, Training Instructor, TSA Academy, Glynco, Georgia
Rashur responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by immediately transitioning in-person classes to a new virtual platform. This ensured that Phase II of TSO-Basic Training Program safely continued without delay and guaranteed a steady stream of new TSOs to airports. Without this constant supply of certified TSOs, air travel may have been seriously impacted nationwide.
Valor
· Garryck Hampton, Senior Federal Air Marshal, Federal Air Marshal Service, San Francisco, California
On February 22, 2020, Garryck raced into the open waters of the Pacific Ocean to rescue two people whose kayak flipped. When Garryck reached the couple, they were hanging onto their upside down kayak and due to fatigue were unable to reboard their watercraft. After another kayaker arrived, Garryck battled the strong winds and currents for a mile to get back to the beach and alert 911 and the U.S. Coast Guard. His quick, decisive and selfless actions helped save the couple’s lives.
It is my privilege to serve alongside each and every one of you as we work together to secure our nation’s transportation systems.
