ALBANY, N.Y. - The Transportation Security Administration’s Federal Security Director for upstate New York, Bart R. Johnson, was presented with the National Fusion Center Association’s (NFCA) Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this month at its annual conference in Washington, D.C.
The award highlighted Johnson’s dedication to the service of the country and his many accomplishments. He rose through the ranks of the New York State Police, where he was the Colonel responsible for field operations across the state. He served in both state and local law enforcement for 31 years-24 of which were with the New York State Police. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Johnson developed and implemented numerous counter terrorism programs designed to protect the citizens of New York State.
In 2007, several years after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Johnson joined the United States Intelligence Community as the Director of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He was later detailed to be the Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security, where he was the principal advisor to the DHS Secretary on intelligence matters.
Throughout his career, Johnson has fostered the building of stronger relationships between the intelligence community and law enforcement throughout the country. He was also one of the original designers of fusions centers that have now evolved to a National Network of Fusion Centers (there are now 77 situated throughout the country), whose primary mission is to share information and intelligence on issues regarding national security, terrorism, cyber and natural disasters.
After briefly leaving government service, Johnson served as the Executive Director of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the largest law enforcement association in the world. He returned to the federal government to work for the Transportation Security Administration in 2014, where he now oversees security operations at 14 airports situated across the state.
“Bart Johnson’s lifetime of achievements have changed the landscape of America’s national intelligence and homeland security efforts," said Mike Sena, president of the National Fusion Center. “As one of the founding fathers of the National Network of Fusion Centers, Bart Johnson’s legacy will protect America for generations to come." The award was presented by Sena at NFCA’s annual ceremony, which was attended by more than 600 federal, state and local homeland security professionals.
“To be recognized by the National Fusion Center Association has been a highlight of my career," Johnson said. “To have worked with the NFCA, and so many others, on information sharing and counter terrorism programs since Sept. 11, has been a privilege and an honor."
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
