John Pistole has led a life dedicated to keeping our country safe. A counterterrorism and homeland security expert, he is a 26-year veteran of the FBI, rising to become the bureau’s deputy director. He led or was involved in several high-profile investigations, including the attempted car bombing in Times Square in 2010, the 2009 attempted attack on Northwest Flight 253, the plot against New York City subways in 2009, the 2006 UK liquid explosives plot, the 2005 London Tube bombings, and more. He left the FBI in 2010 to head the Transportation Security Agency. He was the longest-serving administrator of the government agency entrusted with keeping terrorists off planes, trains and other means of transport. Because of his efforts, our country’s transportation systems have never been safer and more secure.

Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Pistole shares his extensive counterterrorism expertise with audiences. He shares insider stories and behind-the-scenes insights into what it takes to keep America safe and what businesses can learn along the way.

Safer Planes, Trains, and Buses. Pistole led the TSA’s more than 60,000 employees and security operations at more than 450 airports throughout the United States. He boosted the agency’s professionalism and shifted its approach from one-size-fits-all to risk-based, intelligence-driven screening, focusing greater scrutiny on travelers who were less known to authorities or who represented a known threat. He also increased efficiencies that allowed him to return $100 million to the Treasury and created the “Trusted Traveler” pre-check system in 2011 that allows travelers to keep their shoes and jackets on at checkpoints, while leaving laptops and small containers of liquids in carry-on bags. He worked to revamp the agency’s much-misunderstood reputation – the majority of U.S. travelers now have a positive opinion of the agency, and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Pistole was instrumental in the TSA becoming an efficient counterterrorism agency.

Forming Out Nation’s Counterterrorism Policies. After the attacks of 9/11, Pistole was placed in charge of the FBI’s counterterrorism program, eventually becoming the FBI’s executive assistant director for national security and later the agency’s deputy director. He was pivotally involved in the formation of terrorism policies. For his incredible work, he received the Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity in 2007. He is also a recipient of the 2005 Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive.

Pistole began his career as a special agent with the FBI in 1983, serving in Minneapolis and New York before his promotion to the organized crime section at FBI headquarters. In 1999, as assistant special agent in charge in Boston, he also helped lead the investigation and recovery efforts of the Egypt Air Flight 990 crash off the coast of Rhode Island.

More about Pistole. John Pistole practiced law for two years prior to joining the FBI. He is a graduate of Anderson University (Indiana) – where he is currently the university’s president – and Indiana University School of Law.

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