Smiths Group’s Kevin Schmidt Elected Chair of the Security Manufacturers Coalition, 2019

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 Chair of the organization for 2019. He will be supported by Vice Chair Jim King, Vice President of Government Relations for Rapiscan Systems, an OSI Systems Company.

“We are pleased to announce Kevin Schmidt as the new Chair of the SMC. His experience working for complex public and private sector entities will help to inform his decision making as he leads the SMC in 2019,” 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 is currently vice president, government relations for Smiths Group and brings unique experience to the position having also served as a House Intelligence Committee staffer and a Department of Homeland Security senior official in the George W. Bush administration.

“Partnering seamlessly with Congress and the Federal government is critical for ensuring the rapid deployment of security technology. We must adapt to face ever evolving threats against the travelling public,” said incoming Chairman Kevin Schmidt.

“To meet threats head on, the Coalition’s top priorities will include working closely with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure adequate funding for aviation security technology. SMC companies will work with their key government customers to align priorities, so operators may leverage years of private sector research to bring security innovation to life,” said Schmidt.

SMC Vice Chair Jim King is Vice President of Government Relations for Rapiscan Systems, an OSI Systems Company, with broad and deep expertise and experience spanning more than twenty years in both the public and private sectors. His background includes work in the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government, as well as with three global defense and security corporations.