David Stone, formerly deputy chief of staff at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and security director for Los Angeles International Airport, has been named to serve as acting TSA Administrator. Before joining the TSA, he was an admiral in the U.S. Navy, where his last assignment was in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the director of environmental protection safety and occupational health. Among other notable assignments, he was previously the commander of the USS Nimitz Battle Group, where among his responsibilities he organized, trained and deployed more than 5,000 sailors. He holds a master’s degree in management from Salve Regina University, a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College, a master’s degree in national security affairs from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy. Stone replaces James Loy, who was tapped to be deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the agency under which the TSA operates.