Ryan Thomas is a Transportation Security Inspector (TSI) with the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Assigned to the Surface Operations Houston Field Office, he serves on a team responsible for the oversight of freight and passenger rail, pipeline, highway motor carriers, and maritime, to raise the security posture of the surface transportation sector. To achieve this, a stakeholder focused, risk-based security model is utilized. Equally important to regulation enforcement is the voluntary compliance model. Vulnerability assessments, exercises, and training are some of the methods used to achieve program goals, while leveraging strategic partnerships with the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and other oversight agencies with shared responsibilities.
Mr. Thomas began his career with TSA in 2012 in Aviation Operations, as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) in New York City. Although formally charged with the screening of persons and properties in airports, he quickly grew interested in process improvement after being assigned to the Threat Awareness and Countermeasures Training Team, assisting Explosives Specialists to train other Officers in explosives threat recognition. In 2014, transferred to Houston Office and moved into Surface Operations.
Prior to joining TSA, Mr. Thomas served as a Public Safety Officer for the City University of New York (CUNY). After serving in uniformed patrol and response, he became a Campus Investigator, also tasked with internal vulnerability assessments, new recruit training, and commanding a staff of 100 Officers.
Mr. Thomas graduated summa cum laude from John Jay College, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He has also completed graduate school courses from St. John’s University Doctoral program.
His hobbies and interests outside of work include spending time with his family and involvement with his church community. He is happily married with a young son.