San Francisco International Airport and RFID... Past, Present, and the Future

An aviation professional with over 25 years of airport and military operations experience, Mr. Foster is Aviation Security Manager with the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). He is responsible for a 10-person department that develops, manages and administrates the TSA approved Airport Security Program. Over the past several years, he led the development and implementation of advanced technologies for security special systems for the Airport's $2.5 billion International Terminal Complex. As Chair, 100% Explosive Detection System (EDS) Task Force, he guided the Airport's efforts to transition its International Terminal's in-line Checked Baggage Inspection System to full EDS capability. His efforts were instrumental in the design, development and implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for this "centerpiece" aviation security system. Since joining SFO, he has been a driving force behind numerous advancements relating to aviation security programs, systems, and Transportation Security Administration grant funded projects.

 

Beginning his career as a U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller, he achieved a special milestone obtaining a Tower Facility Rating. Following his Naval Service, he continued his aviation career as Station Manager, Security, at Miami International Airport with ARA Ground Services, Inc. Concurrently, he qualified as an Aircraft Ground Handling Services Manager at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and was subsequently promoted and transferred to Houston Intercontinental Airport as an Operations Duty Manager. After this assignment, he was appointed Station Manager and established new ground handling operations at El Paso International Airport. Returning to Florida, he joined Pan American Airways as Station Manager, Security, at Tampa International Airport. He was later promoted to Manager, Contracts and Cost Control, and assigned to PAN AM Headquarters at Miami International Airport.

 

Mr. Foster has spoken at domestic and international venues on various aviation security related topics. He holds a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics and Master of Business Administration degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Additionally, he is a licensed aircraft dispatcher, control tower operator, and a commercial pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He presently resides in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco International Airport connects non-stop with more than 60 cities in the United States on 27 domestic airlines, including more non-stop flights to the East Coast than any other Bay Area airport. In addition, SFO offers non-stop links with more than 30 international carriers, making SFO the Bay Area's Airport of Choice.