Coast Guard chief shifts to Transportation Security Administration

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta Thursday named Adm. James Loy, the outgoing commandant of the Coast Guard, to serve as second in command at the Transportation Security Administration. Loy, who retired Thursday as head of the Coast Guard after 38 years in the organization, will step into a newly created post at the TSA. As deputy undersecretary for transportation security and chief operating officer of the TSA, Loy will report directly to John Magaw, the head of the agency. Adm. Thomas Collins succeeds Loy as head of the Coast Guard. "Jim Loy is a world-class executive and an experienced transportation professional," said Mineta. "TSA's already strong team will benefit from this phenomenal addition." During his four-year tenure as commandant of the Coast Guard, Loy became well known for pressing Congress and the administration to boost funding for an agency whose mission has historically outpaced its resources. Loy's efforts have led to significant increases in the Coast Guard's budget in each of the past two years. Since Sept. 11, the Coast Guard has stepped up its counterterrorism operations by establishing port and coastline patrols and creating a sea marshals program. Loy, who had planned for some time to retire this year, said he would use his management experience to help build a firm foundation for the new federal agency. "Along the way, I expect to foster close public-private partnerships with TSA's industry stakeholders in the longstanding tradition of the Coast Guard," Loy said. Loy's new position does not require Senate confirmation, according to a TSA spokeswoman.