Smiths Group’s Kevin Schmidt Elected 2020 Chair of the Security Manufacturers Coalition

The Security Manufacturers Coalition (SMC), the unified voice of companies that manufacture security screening technology, announced that homeland security expert Kevin Schmidt, Vice President of Government Relations for Smiths Group, has been elected for a second term as Chair of the organization for 2020. He will be joined by Vice Chair Paul Erhard, Director of Strategic Account Management with Leidos Security Detection & Automation (formerly L3Harris Security & Detection System). 

“We are pleased to announce Kevin Schmidt as the returning Chair of the SMC. His experience working for complex public and private sector entities during national catastrophes will help as he leads the SMC in 2020, particularly in the COVID-19 environment,” said T.J. Schulz, president of the Airports Consultants Council (ACC), the host organization for the SMC. The SMC is focused on advocacy priorities that impact the transportation security industry and the traveling public.

Schmidt brings unique experience to the position having also served as a House Permanent Select Committee Intelligence staffer and a Department of Homeland Security senior official in the George W. Bush administration.

“COVID-19 is creating unprecedent threats to our industry’s key government partners. The SMC is committed to deploying innovative technology that can help safeguard government employees while enabling them meet their missions to safeguard our country,” said incoming Chairman Kevin Schmidt. “To meet this challenge, we will work with Congress and the Executive Branch to advocate for policy priorities that protect Americans from terrorism, preserve the Homeland Security industrial base and supply chain, and accelerate aviation sector growth.”

SMC Vice Chair Paul Erhard is director of strategic account management with Leidos security detection and automation (formerly L3Harris Security & Detection System). Erhard has worked at the Security Detection & Automation division since 2003, providing oversight for the development of security screening technology as well as managing multiple TSA contracts. His work on TSA programs includes the qualification and deployment of Checkpoint Passenger Screening and Carry-on Bag Scanning technologies, as well as Checked Baggage Explosive Detection Systems. Erhard received a MS in Structural Engineering from Northeastern University.