The Players

hree years ago, few people had ever heard the phrase "homeland security," and the very idea had little meaning outside of several think tanks and government commissions. But in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States in September 2001, the U.S. government has established a huge, new Homeland Security Department and has appropriated many billions of dollars in the hope of preventing further terrorism in our country. New institutional relationships are being forged not only in the federal bureaucracy and in Congress, but also between Washington and key players in state and local government and in the private sector.

This special supplement focuses on some of the people playing important roles in policy development and implementation in the field of homeland security. A total of 100 people are profiled: officials in the Homeland Security Department and other parts of the executive branch; members of Congress and congressional aides; state and local officials; and outside experts in academia, think tanks, and private industry. We make no claim that these are the top 100 people in homeland security. But they are key people-and worth knowing about if you're interested in the field.

How were they selected? Reporters and editors at both Government Executive and National Journal had a hand in the process. Government Executive staffers picked about 40 of the profilees, focusing on executive branch officials responsible for running, shaping, or providing essential support for homeland security programs. National Journal staffers selected the remainder-mostly members of Congress and congressional aides in key positions, and state and local officials and outside experts considered influential in the field.

We decided to join forces on this supplement to tap into the expertise of both publications. As a magazine serving senior executives and managers in the federal government's departments and agencies, Government Executive is uniquely qualified to write about officials charged with the task of defending the homeland. National Journal, a weekly magazine on politics and government, closely follows debates over homeland-security policy in Congress and outside Washington, as well as in the executive branch.

Our thanks to the staff members from Government Executive and National Journal who produced this issue. You can order additional copies of this supplement by calling 202-266-7322.