Deputy Assistant Administrator - International Operations

Craig Lynes serves as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for International Operations within Security Operations at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a role he assumed in November 2020. The International Operations Directorate works with host governments to improve international transportation security standards globally and to mitigate risks inbound to the United States. Within International Operations, he oversees a cadre of internationally based Regional Directors and TSA Representatives (TSARs) who provide the on-site liaison and representation at U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe.  Additionally, he oversees the domestically based Regional Bureaus, Preclearance Operations, Mitigation Operations and Front Office support staff.

Mr. Lynes recently served as the Executive Director of Compliance for TSA, where he led the Compliance Directorate in the identification and documentation of vulnerabilities in the global transportation system through the implementation of TSA’s regulatory oversight, quality control/quality assurance program as well as the Foreign Airport Assessment and Air Carrier Inspection Program for the approximately 300 international airports that serve as last point of departure locations to the U.S.  These congressionally mandated functions ensure that risks are continually evaluated at approximately 730 domestic and international airports for over 10,000 regulated entities. He was responsible for the management of a Domestic Branch, a Compliance Oversight Group and six Regional Operations Centers employing approximately 170 people around the world and managing the TSA Compliance Implementation Plan. Additionally, Mr. Lynes previously served as the Director Global Affairs/International Operations from 2014-2017, where he directed the activities and operational support for TSARs through outreach and engagement with foreign counterparts.

Mr. Lynes concluded his second overseas tour in 2014 as the TSAR/Attaché for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland, based at the U.S. Embassy, London, where he was the primary U.S. government contact on transportation security matters to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland.  Prior to his posting in London, Mr. Lynes was the Branch Manager, International Air Carrier Program, managing the agency’s International Industry Representatives (IIRs) and the international program consisting of over 200 foreign flag air carriers and all-cargo air carriers that serve the U.S. Mr. Lynes was stationed in Europe from 2004 to 2008 where he held the position of IIR, managing the security programs of foreign air carriers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  He also served in this role in Los Angeles covering the foreign air carriers in Asia Pacific and Canada from 2002-2004.

Prior to joining the TSA, Mr. Lynes managed a domestic air carrier program at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Western Pacific Regional Office and served for several years as a Civil Aviation Security Inspector at both the Los Angeles and San Francisco Civil Aviation Security Field Offices. Mr. Lynes holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a bachelor’s degree in Science in Aviation, Flight Operations and minors in Science and Business from San Jose State University. He is also a pilot with commercial multi and single-engine land airplane certificates with instrument ratings.