Darby LaJoye is the Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations. Prior to assuming his current role in September 2016, he served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for the office.

As Executive Assistant Administrator, LaJoye oversees a workforce of over 50,000 employees worldwide, and a budget of approximately $4 billion. Reporting through the Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator, four Assistant Administrators are responsible for Aviation Operations, Global Operations, Surface Operations, and Security Operations Coordination to protect the nation’s transportation systems. LaJoye is responsible for mitigating the dynamic threat against global and domestic transportation systems by implementing an array of countermeasures, including the latest technology, passenger and cargo screening canines, explosives experts, and other specialized programs. LaJoye is responsible for checkpoint and baggage screening operations impacting millions of passengers at approximately 440 airports every day, oversight of more than 280 international airports conducting last points of departure operations to and from the United States, and a surface network that encompasses freight railroad, passenger rail, mass transit, maritime, and pipelines. LaJoye also oversees TSA’s global compliance mission, with key officials and Inspectors in offices around the world ensuring all modes of transportation, including aviation, mass transit, passenger and freight rail, highway and motor carrier, maritime, pipeline, and air cargo, are in compliance with domestic and international regulatory requirements.

Previously, LaJoye served as the Federal Security Director in Los Angeles where he managed the largest field staff, with nearly 3,000 employees, and sat on several executive boards from universities and law enforcement organizations. LaJoye also served as the Federal Security Director in New York and held other management positions within operations throughout his tenure. He joined TSA in 2002 and was instrumental in the federalization of airports throughout the Northeast and Midwest regions.

Before joining TSA, LaJoye served in the U.S. Army in various light infantry and airborne units. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Richmond, earning a degree in Human Resource Management. He attended the Harvard Business School for Executive Education and has a master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College, as well as a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from Liberty University.