TSA Names Fed Security Director for Spokane Area

Oct. 27, 2006
Jim Spinden takes over duties after holding same job in California

The new Transportation Security Administration federal security director for Spokane is Jim Spinden, who recently held the same job in Palm Springs, Calif.

Spinden is replacing Dereck Starks as chief TSA administrator for the Spokane area. Starks was named federal security director at Chicago's Midway Airport.

Before taking the Palm Springs job in 2005, Spinden worked as a security director in Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Jackson Hole, Wyo. "Jim has been key to the success of the TSA in Palm Springs, and we are fortunate that he has agreed to bring his talents to Spokane," said Mike Scott, Western area director for TSA, in a press release. Spinden will be in charge of roughly 130 TSA workers.

Spinden has also served as sheriff of Washington County, Ore., which includes much of southwest Portland and the cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro. He also spent 20 years as a deputy, detective, lieutenant and undersheriff in Washington County.