James Loy

James M. Loy
2nd United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
In office
December 4, 2003 – March 1, 2005
President George W. Bush
Preceded by Gordon R. England
Succeeded by Michael P. Jackson
Acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security
In office
February 1, 2005 – February 15, 2005
President George W. Bush
Preceded by Tom Ridge
Succeeded by Michael Chertoff
Commandant of the Coast Guard
In office
1998–2002
Preceded by Robert E. Kramek
Succeeded by Thomas H. Collins
Personal details
Born August 10, 1942 (1942-08-10) (age 69)
Alma mater United States Coast Guard Academy
Wesleyan University
Military service
Service/branch United States Coast Guard
Rank Admiral

Admiral James Milton Loy (born August 10, 1942) served as Acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security in 2005 and United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from December 4, 2003, to March 1, 2005. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Secretary, he served as the second administrator of the Transportation Security Administration from 2002 to 2003,[1][2] and before that as the Commandant of the Coast Guard from 1998 to 2002.

Life and career

Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Loy earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America as a youth and was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award as an adult.[3] Loy entered the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1960. Subsequently, he earned a masters degree in history and government from Wesleyan University. He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, served in combat as commanding officer of a patrol boat in Vietnam, and eventually rose to the rank of 4 star Admiral. In May 1998, Loy became the twenty first Commandant of the Coast Guard, serving in that post until 2002.[4]

As Commandant, Loy reacted to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In the short term, he supervised the resumption of sea-borne trade throughout the US, after the USCG had shut down most major ports after the attacks. In the long term, ADM Loy led the US delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and was instrumental in ensuring that the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code was approved and implemented in 2002. The code came into effect in 2004.

In May, 2002, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation Norman Mineta appointed Loy to become the Deputy Undersecretary for the newly-formed Transportation Security Administration. Loy led the agency through its creation and subsequent incorporation into the Department of Homeland Security.

On October 23, 2003, Loy was nominated as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security by President George W. Bush, and sworn in on December 4, 2003. Following the departure of Tom Ridge, Loy filled in as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security from February 1, 2005, until February 15, 2005, when Michael Chertoff was confirmed and sworn into office. Joining the exodus of leadership, Loy resigned as Deputy Secretary, effective March 1, 2005.

As noted in Loy's biography published by the United States Coast Guard: "He has received the Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal, four Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” the Meritorious Service Medal, five Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and other unit and campaign awards."[5]

On April 7, 2005, the Cohen Group announced that Loy had joined the firm as a Senior Counselor, effective April 18.[6]

On August 5, 2005, Loy joined the Board of Directors for Lockheed Martin.

He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy. [7]

In the Fall of 2006 it was announced that ADM Loy was being honored as the first Chair of the Tyler Institute for Leadership at the US Coast Guard Academy. As such Admiral Loy has played a significant role in speaking and drawing other distinguished visitors to the Academy. His first class was designed to teach a select group of cadets about the international shipping industry and how it might be secured.

In March 2007 the Washington Post had a feature on Admiral Loy and his relation to the Coast Guard's Deepwater contract, which was awarded to Lockheed Martin in summer of 2002. When asked by the Washington Post if he ever faced improper influence on Deepwater decisions while serving as Commandant, Loy said: "The question is almost insulting. I will pass on giving you any kind of answer."[8]

References

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Robert E. Kramek
Commandant of the Coast Guard
1998—2002
Succeeded by
Thomas H. Collins
Political offices
Preceded by
Gordon R. England
United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
December 4, 2003 - March 1, 2005
Succeeded by
Michael P. Jackson