TSA Chief Magaw Resigns, Replaced By Coast Guard Head - 2002-07-19

Washington - Transportation Security Administration chief John Magaw resigned yesterday after only six months on the job. Magaw will be succeeded by retired Admiral James Loy, who recently was named the agency's deputy under secretary and COO. Loy was formerly head of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Magaw's resignation was unexpected and a statement issued by U.S. Department of Transportation secretary Norman Mineta praised him as "a dedicated public servant with a lifetime of achievements in the law enforcement field, and we all owe him a debt for his role in the start-up phase of TSA."

Magaw cited health reasons for his resignation, but an administration official with knowledge of the situation said Magaw was forced out by Mineta, according to The Associated Press.

Mineta said of Loy, "We are extremely fortunate that Jim Loy has agreed to serve as our new head of the TSA. Admiral Loy has amply demonstrated his ability to motivate and manage a large federal agency when he was commandant of the Coast Guard. Jim Loy is the right man for this job, at the right time. As a senior member of our DOT team for many years, Jim Loy already knows the players, the policies and the issues involved in transportation security. He is a superb manager, with impeccable credentials in security, intelligence, law enforcement and customer service."

Magaw became under secretary for security on Jan. 28, with the mission of setting up TSA. The agency has been criticized by members of Congress and some within the aviation community for hiring too many high-priced personnel, requiring a budget larger than Congress originally envisioned and hiring more personnel than Congress expected. Magaw is a former head of the Secret Service.