MOBILE, Ala., Jan. 16 -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has named Gail Linkins, the federal security director (FSD) at Mobile Regional Airport, Montgomery Regional-Dannelly Field and Dothan Regional airports, as the agency's FSD of the Year for the Central Region. The award recognizes the FSD who makes significant contributions in providing operational direction for airport security, demonstrating integrity and innovation while adding value to other airports and agencies nationwide.
"Gail is an outstanding leader who has paved her way for TSA involvement through fostering partnerships with local, state and federal agencies in the planning and execution of annual joint Emergency Preparedness Exercises," said Gale Rossides, TSA associate administrator for Business Transformation and Culture. "Her many accomplishments, her loyalty and trustworthiness to her employees especially during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, sets her apart from her peers."
Under her leadership, Mobile Regional Airport became the second federalized airport, and was selected to serve as a model airport for the federalization of airports of similar size. Linkins served on two Federal Security Director Advisory Councils and represents the Central Area on the Disaster Working Group. As one of TSA's first eight FSDs, Linkins is a member of a select group of individuals who have served the agency from its inception and are dedicated to the oversight of the TSA mission.
Linkins was born in Germany and raised in Huntsville, Ala. Prior to joining TSA, Linkins was appointed a special agent with the United States Secret Service, assigned to Vice President George H.W. Bush's detail, and represented the Secret Service at Interpol in France. In 1992, she moved to the Atlanta Field Office Fraud Squad, ultimately becoming the assistant to the special agent in charge, Office of Training. In this role, Linkins oversaw hostage negotiation seminars and crisis management courses, and served on the White House Investigation Review Team. In 1995, she took the position of resident agent in charge, Mobile Resident Office.
Linkins attended Auburn University where she majored in criminal justice and political science. She attended graduate school at Auburn University and at Johns Hopkins University.
