Serge Potapov is a seasoned federal law enforcement executive with over 27 years of experience in aviation security, counterterrorism, insider threat mitigation, and emerging technology applications. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Flight Programs Branch within the Flight Operations Division of the Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (LE/FAMS) at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In this role, he oversees the strategic management of TSA’s Insider Threat Program, interagency law enforcement and industry liaison programs, and assessment programs for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, and airport vulnerability. Serge also leads key initiatives aligned with the LE/FAMS Roadmap, enhancing organizational capacity and capabilities to mitigate both current and emerging threats to the Transportation Systems Sector.

Prior to his current role, Serge provided senior leadership in the Washington Field Office, overseeing law enforcement operations, strategic planning, and multi-agency collaborations in counterterrorism and aviation security. He has also served in the FBI Counterterrorism Division, focusing on international terrorism, transportation security, and insider threat investigations. During the rapid post-9/11 expansion of LE/FAMS, he was a Training Instructor at the TSA Training Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Before joining the TSA, Serge served as a U.S. Marine for five years, specializing in communications technology, reconnaissance, direct-action operations, and Russian language applications.

Serge is the recipient of multiple awards, including the 2022 TSA Honorary Award for Mission Focus, 2018 TSA Honorary Award for Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge of the Year, 2016 Office of the Director of National Intelligence – National Intelligence Professional Award, 2016 TSA Honorary Awards for Security/Intelligence and Global Security and the FBI National Joint Terrorism Task Force Award for Excellence

He is a graduate of TSA’s Senior Leadership Development Program, has completed the American University Key Executive Leadership Program, and holds a Master’s degree in Security Studies from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Serge speaks fluent Russian and conversational French, and enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with his wife and twin daughters.