John “Neal” Latta is a nationally recognized security and identity management leader with more than 32 years of federal service dedicated to advancing innovation and protecting the United States. Over the course of his career at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its predecessor agencies, he has played a foundational role in shaping biometric policy and integrating biometrics into border security, counterterrorism, and vetting operations.

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In 2020, Mr. Latta began his Senior Executive Service career at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and in September 2021 he was selected as Assistant Administrator for Enrollment Services and Vetting Programs (ESVP). In that role, he led TSA’s enterprise for enrollment, vetting, and identity-based risk management—overseeing program operations, technology modernization, budget execution, and end‑to‑end integration of frontline vetting priorities. He also aligned TSA initiatives with the broader DHS vetting ecosystem, working closely with federal, state, local, tribal, and private‑sector partners.

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Under his leadership, TSA PreCheck® experienced historic growth—reaching 15 million active members in 2023 ahead of statutory targets outlined in the TSA Modernization Act of 2018, and expanding to 20 million active members by 2024. The program achieved its largest single year of growth in FY 2023, with 4 million new enrollments and 1.5 million renewals.

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Mr. Latta previously served as ESVP’s first Deputy Assistant Administrator, helping establish the organizational foundation, governance, and operational scale of the office. Prior to TSA, he served as Director of the DHS Screening Coordination Office, where he led implementation of executive orders and interagency policy related to refugees, information sharing, and screening and vetting. In that role, he was the DHS lead for implementing the National Security Presidential Memorandum establishing the National Vetting Center.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Latta served as Group Chief of the Screening and Vetting Group at the National Counterterrorism Center, overseeing day‑to‑day operations of high‑profile counterterrorism and U.S. entry screening programs. Across his career, he has directed complex, time‑sensitive initiatives that cut across organizational and functional boundaries, with a sustained emphasis on biometrics, technology, and mission integration.

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Mr. Latta is a graduate of the Homeland Defense Fellowship Program at the National Defense University and holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and business administration from North Carolina Wesleyan College. He was recognized as a 2024 Fed 100 Award recipient for his leadership in advancing technology, innovation, and the passenger experience across the federal government.