Tom Blank blogs on a wide variety of issues involving homeland security policy, DHS program management and oversight issues as well as transportation security.

Mr. Blank is the former Deputy Administrator (Acting) of the Transportation Security Administration. He also was the agency’s first policy leader and Chief Support Systems Officer. He was one of the first few dozen employees of what grew to be an agency of over 50,000 people during his tenure - the largest stand-up of a Federal agency since World War II.

Mr. Blank is credited for building strong relationships with TSA’s transportation stakeholders especially airports, airlines and the air cargo industry. In addition, in the aftermath of the Madrid subway bombing, Blank led the effort to bring U.S. transit and rail operators under federal security regulation for the first time.

Blank is widely respected on Capitol Hill where he has frequently testified before committees of both the House and the Senate. He was awarded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 9/11 Service Medal by Secretary Norman Y. Mineta in 2003.

Blank is Vice Chairman of Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates, a full-service government relations firm where he leads the homeland security practice. The practice has become known for its capability to assist the private sector in business development with the Federal government.

Prior to his service at TSA, Blank was President and CEO of The Fund for the Capitol Visitor Center, a senior executive with Union Pacific Resources Group, Communications Director for House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and President of Hager Sharp, Inc., a well regarded public affairs firm in Washington, D.C.