Vickery named as TSA-Saipan chief

The Transportation Security Administration has appointed Rhonda Vickery as the Federal Security Director for the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, replacing John Peoples who resigned in early December 2004.

Vickery’s appointment to head TSA-Saipan was announced by TSA on Friday.

“Rhonda’s experience and commitment to the security of Saipan airport make her ideal for this position,” said retired Rear Adm. David M. Stone, USN, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for TSA. “I know she will provide excellent leadership for our screeners along with the highest levels of customer service for the people of Saipan.”

Vickery had previously worked at TSA-Saipan as administrative officer for the airport in 2002 and 2003. She served as liaison between TSA leadership in Washington and the field office in Saipan just as TSA assumed responsibility for security and screening operations at the airport.

She also spent 18 years with United Airlines in numerous positions, including aviation security manager immediately following the events of September 2001. In that position, Vickery coordinated with federal law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration in implementing the new security procedures.

The position of FSD was created by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act signed by President Bush on Nov. 19, 2001.

The former head of the TSA-Saipan, Peoples, had resigned “for personal reasons,” according to an earlier TSA statement. At that time, Peoples was being investigated on a sexual harassment complaint.

The TSA then appointed Stanford Miyamoto, deputy federal security director at the Honolulu International Airport, as Peoples’ temporary replacement. Miyamoto, who has been detailed at the Honolulu airport since 2002, served as interim federal security director for the Saipan International Airport until the TSA named Vickery to the post.

Before TSA announced Peoples’ resignation, there were reports that the agency was conducting an investigation on the official’s management practices.

A terminated TSA employee who was formerly detailed at the Saipan airport had filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, accusing Peoples of sexually harassing him. (PR)