"Louisville Airport security director named"

Thursday, September 26, 2002
 
Airport security director named 
Louisville sticks with acting chief, retired FBI agent
The Associated Press


   LOUISVILLE - A new federal security director has been named at
Louisville International Airport, replacing Bruce J. Brotman, who was
suspended and reassigned. 

   Robert B. Foster, 54, a Louisville native, had been acting security
director at the airport since late June. His appointment was announced
Monday. 

   Mr. Foster most recently supervised the Lexington FBI office. 

   Mr. Brotman was reassigned to another position within the
Transportation Security Administration. He was accused of using his
position to dodge the airport's security checkpoint with a companion in
June. 

   Mr. Foster, reached in Washington, D.C., said his first priority will
be to increase the number of screening lanes for passengers to reduce
their waiting time. The airport has four lanes. Mr. Foster said he is
awaiting agency approval on a plan to create additional lanes. 

   "We want to have enough staff and lanes to accommodate (the
airport's) rush time," Mr. Foster said. 

   Mr. Foster, who lives in Frankfort, said he will continue to assess
security and work with airport officials. Another priority is to meet
the Dec. 31 deadline for 100 percent baggage screening at the airport,
he said. 

   "These are my hometown people, and I want to ensure that they have
the best customer service and security." 

   Mr. Foster was appointed to the security director position after Mr.
Brotman, a 20-year FBI veteran, was recalled to Washington a week before
he was to start the job. Mr. Brotman, who had been appointed in May, was
accused of using his credentials to get himself and a woman past
security at the airport without being screened. The woman apparently was
trying to catch a flight, officials said. 

   Federal regulations require that all travelers pass through security
checkpoints. Mr. Brotman was in Washington within 24 hours of the
incident and was the subject of an internal investigation. 

   Mr. Foster retired as an FBI special agent after 30 years. Most
recently he supervised the Lexington office for seven years, managing
investigative matters and serving as the drug program coordinator for
Kentucky, according to the Transportation Security Administration. 

   Previously, he was assigned to the Washington, D.C., office and the
FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. He also was team leader of the FBI's
National Hostage Rescue Team. 

   Kentucky FBI spokesman Dave Beyer described Mr. Foster as a
successful street agent and an excellent supervisor. His past experience
on the FBI's hostage rescue team means he is trained to handle such
incidents at airports and on planes, Mr. Beyer said. 

   "He has experience dealing with difficult situations and rapidly
developing events," Mr. Beyer said. 

   The federal security director position was created under the National
Aviation and Transportation Security Act in November.


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