David M. Stone

David M. Stone was appointed the Acting Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on December 4, 2003.

"Immediately prior to his appointment, Rear Admiral Stone had served since August 2003 as Deputy Chief of Staff in TSA Headquarters. He was selected for that position from a field assignment as TSA's first Federal Security Director at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the largest and busiest airports in the world.  During that assignment, he led the local effort to mobilize, train, and deploy the largest federalized screener workforce in the United States, a monumental effort completed two weeks before the required deadline.  The airport also implemented the 100% electronic checked-baggage screening program, screening in excess of 150,000 items per day.

"As a career naval officer, Rear Admiral Stone retired from active duty in April 2002. He began his naval career in 1974, as a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree.  He also holds a Master of Science in Management from Salve Regina College; a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategy from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island; and a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

"His initial command at sea was the USS John Hancock. As a senior officer, he served as the first Commander Destroyer Squadron Fifty, homeported in Manama, Bahrain, and later served as Chief of Staff to Commander, Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy.

"Upon promotion to Rear Admiral, he served as the first U.S. Commander of NATO's Standing Naval Force Mediterranean during operations in the Adriatic in support of the Kosovo conflict. He was presented an 'Outstanding Citizen Award' by his hometown of Algonquin, Illinois, in recognition of this achievement and his outstanding commitment to service.  Other significant assignments included tours in the Pentagon on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as Deputy Director of Surface Warfare, and later as Director, Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational Health.  His last operational command in the Navy was the Nimitz Battlegroup, where he was responsible for organizing, training and equipping the sailors assigned for deployment."