New security chief

John W. Magaw has been named the Under Secretary of Transportation Security at the newly-formed Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA has the authority to issue final rules or directives pertaining to transportation security, and in an emergency can issue rules without seeking public or industry comment.

Established by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, passed last November, the new law authorizes creation of an oversight board that can overrule any regulation issued by the agency.

Magaw is the current acting executive director of the Office of National Preparedness, and former head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.