President Obama's decision to nominate retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Harding as TSA administrator brings the agency a chief with "national security expertise and extensive experience in the intelligence community," DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said.
"Effective transportation security involves protecting our citizens from constantly evolving threats while facilitating legal travel and trade around the country and throughout the world," Napolitano said. "Bob's national security expertise and extensive experience in the intelligence community and U.S. Army will be a great asset to the department in our efforts to ensure the safety of the nation's transportation systems."
Harding currently is president and CEO of his own security consulting firm, Harding Security Associates, LLC.
Harding's 33 years of military service included assignments as the deputy to the Army's Chief of Intelligence, as the director for operations in the Defense Intelligence Agency, and as the commander of the Army's only organization focused on homeland security. He also served as the executive vice president for operations at a medium-sized logistics and supply-chain security company. He has extensive experience running global operations, as well as providing security for sensitive national programs, facilities and technologies.
Harding's education includes a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Bowie State University, a master of science in business from Salve Regina University, and a master of arts degree in national security and strategy from the U.S. Naval War College. His education also includes the Armed Forces Staff College and the U.S. Naval War College.
