Federal Security Director Named for Ft. Lauderdale and Key West Airports

Jan. 25, 2007

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 22 -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that John T. (Tim) Lewis has been named federal security director (FSD) for Ft. Lauderdale- Hollywood International (FLL) and Key West International (EYW) airports. As FSD, Lewis will oversee all TSA security operations at FLL and EYW.

"Tim will be a tremendous asset to the TSA in Ft. Lauderdale and Key West," said Michael J. Restovich, TSA assistant administrator for Security Operations. "His extensive experience in the Air Force in intelligence, security, and antiterrorism initiatives makes him the ideal person for this leadership position."

Lewis is a retired Air Force colonel who was assigned to the Department of Defense's Counter Terrorist Joint Task Force for 13 years. He commanded two aviation squadrons, a multi-nation aviation wing, an air base, and a special operations task force. He was responsible for writing plans supporting weapons of mass destruction counterterrorist operations, and organizing, training, equipping and ensuring the combat readiness of those forces.

Lewis also served as a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence where he was responsible for writing, coordinating and staffing physical security policy for installations, chemical and biological agents, and arms, ammunition and explosives. While holding this position, he also led the security countermeasures team for the Remodeling Defense Intelligence initiative.

He has additional experience in combating terrorism, emerging antiterrorism technologies, defense operations, counter-intelligence, aviation and security technologies.

Lewis, who served in Southwest Asia and Iraq, is highly decorated and attained the highest pilot qualification, Flight Examiner, in several aircraft, including trainers and fighters. He has accumulated more than 5,600 flight hours.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and has a bachelor's degree in Military History and a master's in Acquisition and Procurement Management from Webster University in St. Louis.