September Spotlight: Kriste Jordan Smith, Federal Security Director - DFW Airport, Transportation Security Administration

Q1: What Board do you serve on for the FEB South Region and in what capacity?

A1: DFW FEB; Chair

Q2: What is unique about your agency’s mission?

A2: TSA interacts with the public more than any other federal agency, up to 3 million people per day.

Q3: How does your agency collaborate with the Federal Executive Boards? What benefits have you noticed from this collaboration?

A3: We provide alternative dispute resolution (mediation) resources, emergency management working group resources, mentors for formal mentoring programs, guest speakers for events, and other emerging support.? Over the years, dozens of our employees have participated in DFW FEB programs.? The most important benefit for us is the FEB’s whole-of-government perspective.? FEB connectivity helps refine our understanding of how we fit into the broader regional public service ecosystem.? We also have the opportunity to discover partnership opportunities that might otherwise go untapped.

Q4: How has the FEB impacted your relationships with federal/state/local agencies?

A4: For TSA, the federal level is the most mature, based on our mission, but state and local are on the horizon for future opportunities.? Numerous other federal agencies would say their relationships with state and local have moved farther, faster, thanks to FEB DFW.

Q5: How do the FEBs foster high-level interagency collaboration outside of Washington, DC??

A5: This summer’s strategic meeting was an excellent example of FEBs fostering nationwide connectivity.? The FEB Forward roadmap paints an exciting picture for how this will mature, in a consistent, regional-agnostic way, for the next several years.

Q6: What’s your favorite way to de-stress after a long day of hard work? ?

A6: Time with family!? Which now includes two dogs, four chickens, and an intermittent goat visitor.?“Tree time” is our favorite.? Nature rejuvenates and reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.

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