HSGAC Committee Approves Critical Leadership Nominations for TSA, USPS Board of Governors

WASHINGTON – Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statements after the Committee approved critical leadership nominations Monday evening for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors. The two nominees were ordered reported favorably en bloc by voice vote. The nominations now await a vote on the Senate floor.

Vice Admiral Peter V. Neffenger is the nominee to be Administrator for TSA. He has served as a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard since 1982 and assumed the position of Vice Commandant in May 2014.

“The thousands of hardworking men and women at the Transportation Security Administration are charged with a challenging mission and competing demands – to secure our nation’s transportation systems without hindering travel or trade,” Sen. Carper said. “Given the complexity of its mission, the challenges facing its workforce, and the ever-evolving threats to our nation, TSA needs strong leadership at its helm to steer the agency’s efforts. Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger has shown that he has the leadership experience necessary for the job and the willingness to confront difficult challenges head-on. I am confident that he will provide the vision and leadership that TSA needs now, more than ever. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support his nomination.”

David Shapira is the nominee to be a Governor of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. Mr. Shapira is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Giant Eagle, Inc, a $10 billion company with nearly 40,000 employees.

“The Postal Service operates at the center of a global printing, delivery, and logistics industry that employs millions of people,” Sen. Carper said. “The Board of Governors serve a vital role to navigate the organization’s financial outlook and strategy. As a leader of a $10 billion company with nearly 40,000 employees, David Shapira would bring a unique business perspective and valuable insights to the Board. With Mr. Shapira and four other Board nominees now pending before the Senate, there is a real opportunity to make significant progress towards strengthening the Postal Service with a fully operational team. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly and support these nominations.”

The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service is comparable to a board of directors of a private corporation. The Board includes nine governors who serve part-time for seven year terms. The Board is responsible for conducting long-range planning, directing and controlling expenditures, overseeing operational performance and practices, and setting policies on postal matters. The Board is also responsible for hiring the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General, and for approving officer compensation, major contracts, and large capital investments.

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