He rose through Fla. Highway Patrol

Times-Picayune 

NEW ORLEANS — Larry Austin, a former Florida Highway Patrol commander, has been named federal security director for Louis Armstrong International Airport, the Transportation and Security Administration announced Monday.

"Larry's hands-on experience in law enforcement and his demonstrated ability to lead will be an asset to TSA's operations in New Orleans," said Lee Kair, TSA assistant administrator for security operations.

Austin joined the Florida Highway Patrol as a trooper in 1978 and was promoted several times until he was named lieutenant commander in 2001. He oversaw the patrol's field operations, coordinated emergency event response and assessed security threats to state-owned properties.

He holds a bachelor of science degree from Florida A&M University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

At Armstrong, he succeeds Kevin McCarthy, who was named security director for the Memphis International Airport.

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