John Magaw

John William Magaw (born 1935) is a former administrator for the United States Federal Government. He received a bachelor of science degree in education from Otterbein College, in Westerville, Ohio in 1957.[1] He began his career in public service in 1959 as a state trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

John Magaw
Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
In office January 20, 2001 – February 15, 2001
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	James Lee Witt
Succeeded by	Joe Allbaugh
4th Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
In office 1993–1999
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Stephen Higgins
Succeeded by	Bradley A. Buckles
17th Director of the United States Secret Service
In office 1992–1993
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	John Simpson
Succeeded by	Eljay Bowron
Personal details
Born	John William Magaw August 1935 (age 84–85) Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Education	Otterbein University (BS)

Magaw became a special agent with the United States Secret Service in 1967. While he was at the Secret Service he served as deputy special agent in charge of the Vice Presidential protective division and head of the Washington field office. By 1992, Magaw was in charge of all protective operations for the President and First family. Magaw was Director of the United States Secret Service from 1992 to 1993.

The Waco siege in 1993 did not reflect well on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). After an investigation, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury purged its senior leadership and appointed Magaw as its fourth Director. Morale in the agency improved during his tenure from 1993–1999.[2][3]

Magaw was appointed Senior Advisor to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for terrorism preparedness in December 1999. In that role, he planned and coordinated FEMA's domestic terrorism preparedness efforts. He laster served as Acting Director from January 20, 2001–February 15, 2001. After Joe Allbaugh's confirmation to FEMA Director, Magaw held other positions within FEMA.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, and his deputy, chose Magaw to stand up the new Transportation Security Administration, for his law enforcement experience and successessful leadership of ATF. President George W. Bush agreed, and in January 2002 the U.S. Senate confirmed Magaw as Undersecretary of Transportation Security. He oversaw the initial standup of the TSA. His tough approach to airport security produced long lines and inconvenience for travelers, angering stakeholders. Not allowing pilots to arm themselves also sparked controversy. He didn't cultivate his public image, nor tend to relations with the U.S. Congress. He left TSA in June 2002, with former United States Coast Guard Admiral James Loy replacing him. Magaw lasted six months at TSA; his successor lasted ten months.[3][4]

Magaw received the Presidential Rank Meritorious Award in 1991 and 1999, as well as the Presidential Rank Distinguished Award in 1995.

As of 2018, Magaw is a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.[5]

References

1. Roger Routson, ed. (2006-11-27). "Board of Trustees" (PDF). Towers. 79 (4). Westerville, Ohio: Office of Marketing & Communications of Otterbein College. p. 11. (USPS 413-720). Retrieved 2009-05-01. John W.Magaw ’57
2. Moore, Jim (2001). Very special agents: the inside story of America's most controversial law enforcement agency--the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (reprint, illustrated ed.). University of Illinois Press. pp. 306–307. ISBN 978-0-252-07025-9. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
3. Felcher, E. Marla (2004-02-23). U.S. AVIATION SECURITY BEFORE AND AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 11 TERRORIST ATTACKS (PDF). New York, New York and Washington, D.C.: The Century Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-29. Retrieved 2009-05-01. [TSA's first leader] John Magaw, was fired after six months on the job, amid complaints from all of his stakeholders (the airlines, airport operators, frequent fliers, and Congress) for having taken the new security regime too far.
4. Brill, Steven (2003). After: the rebuilding and defending of America in the September 12 era (reprint ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 260, 282, 283, 298, 315, 320, 355, 408, 436, 437, 475, 505, 506, 661, 672, 673, 677. ISBN 978-0-7432-3710-9. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
5. "Homeland Security Adnisory Council Members". U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved 4 July 2017.

Government offices
Preceded by John Simpson	Director of the United States Secret Service 1992–1993	Succeeded by Eljay Bowron
Preceded by Stephen Higgins	Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 1993–1999	Succeeded by Bradley A. Buckles
Preceded by James Lee Witt	Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Acting 2001	Succeeded by Joe Allbaugh
New office	Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 2002	Succeeded by James Loy