Continuing to lead the nation in security initiatives, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has hired Dennis Treece to be the first Massport Director of Corporate Security. The new position was created to preside over security at the agency that operates three airports, Boston's seaport, a toll bridge and manages acres of waterfront property.

The new security executive will report directly to the CEO and develop long-term strategies and plans to protect New England's vital transportation infrastructure. Treece will coordinate the efforts of Massport's aviation security director, maritime and bridge security director and facility directors and be the key contact with the emerging Transportation Security Administration, the state's homeland security director and other local and federal law enforcements agencies.

"Mr. Treece has the qualifications and experience needed to help protect our airports and seaport from today's complex threats and assess future potential threats," said Massport CEO Craig P. Coy. "We have found someone who has met our high standards for this important post and has been on the front lines defending freedom for 30 years. His wealth of experience in the United States Army, the CIA, and the private sector make him uniquely qualified to lead our current security team and spearhead our nationally-recognized initiatives."

Treece comes to Massport after almost 30 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Colonel in 2000. During his tenure in the military, he held a wide array of jobs managing hundreds of staff and implementing innovative security programs, specializing in security information systems and networks. From various posts in Vietnam to the Middle East to the Balkans, Treece has developed a strong background in counter terrorism, intelligence analysis, state-of-the-art security solutions and project planning and implementation.

"Colonel Treece will be an excellent addition to the Massport team, providing a keen focus on security across all modes of transportation," said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Federal Security Director George Naccara. "His experience will compliment the work of the TSA as we forge our partnership for excellence in security."

Treece is a highly decorated combat veteran who began his military service in the Vietnam War and has been posted throughout Europe, in Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War and has served in the Central Intelligence Agency.

"I am excited to head up the strong security team in place at Massport," said Treece. "By working together as a team, we will create a formidable strategic security plan that capitalizes on lessons learned from the past, ensures security excellence today and every day, and clearly lays out what needs to be done to stay ahead of security threats. Ultimately, my job is to make sure those things get done so that people and goods can flow efficiently through our transportation systems."

Treece holds a bachelors degree in business administration from Arizona State University and a masters degree in history from the University of La Verne, California. He is a graduate of the US Army War College and the Command and General Staff College. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, he is married and has two sons.

"With Mr. Treece on board, Massport will be well positioned to continue its leadership role in transportation and physical security," added Coy. "The City of Boston and Massachusetts have gained a professional with decades of hard-earned know-how, accomplished management skills and a clear understanding of how our enemies think and act."

Russell Reynolds Associates, the executive search firm retained to recruit for the newly created position, contacted and interviewed both domestic and international security experts. The search firm sought input from major airport and port facilities in the United States and overseas and reviewed candidates from the FBI, CIA, U.S. State Department, Department of Defense, U.S. Secret Service, all branches of the United States military, state law enforcement agencies, and national and international security consulting firms and private corporations.

When the firm was awarded the search, Russell Reynolds Associates decided, in conjunction with Massport, to donate its fee of $66,000 to the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund (www.massfund.org), a nonprofit organization providing compassionate assistance and relief to residents of Massachusetts who were directly impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

"We know that the needs of many families are greater today than they were a year ago. We are grateful for Russell Reynolds Associates' generosity and so thankful for their compassion for families struggling to rebuild their lives," said Massachusetts 9/11 Fund president Roderick MacLeish, Jr. said. "Although this has been an incredibly difficult year for Massport we are so pleased they have been able to reach out to help Massachusetts families of 9/11. It's an extraordinary response under such circumstances."

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