Skip to navigation Skip to content
Click Here to Join TSA

Ellen Howe

Assistant Administrator for Strategic Communications/Public Affairs

photo of Ellen Howe.

Ellen Howe joined TSA in March 2006. As assistant administrator for Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, she manages agency-wide communications and messaging and is a strategic advisor to TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. She also serves as a senior spokesperson for the agency. Howe leads a team of 30 public affairs professionals responsible for media relations, public liaison, graphic arts, the TSA.gov web site, and TSA employee communications including web casts targeted to 43,000 security officers at more than 450 airports throughout the United States.

In 2006 Howe managed nationwide communications in the wake of the August 10 London terror plot, successfully developing and implementing public information campaigns related to liquids and gels in carry-on bags. That highly successful campaign proactively reached more than 50 million Americans through more than 3,200 radio, television and print outlets, 1,155 media interviews and more than 70 media events across the country. Howe's office also responded to thousands of contacts from the media - illustrated by the 300-plus calls one field representative received in a single day at the beginning of the liquid ban in carry on luggage.

Howe's office strategically communicates to internal and external audiences through TSA's public Web site, Intranet, television, newsprint, radio, direct public-access signage and new media including web casts and blogs. The office ensures internal collaboration with other key offices including Legislative Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security Public Affairs.

Prior to joining TSA, Howe owned and managed a public affairs firm in the state of Washington for 11 years where she designed and implemented communications strategies for a wide-ranging clientele. Howe has applied that experience at TSA by shifting the department's energies from a traditionally reactive role to a more strategic focus, highlighting agency's initiatives, including workforce improvements, technology innovations and security enhancements.

Howe has a bachelor's degree in journalism from The Ohio State University.