Faces of TSA - United Mission
Overview
Every year, the TSA TV Studio is tasked with producing a commemorative video for the agency’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony—an emotionally significant event live-streamed to TSA employees across the country. Traditionally, these videos have focused on a single TSA employee with a direct connection to the events of 9/11, such as a former first responder.
In 2023, I set out to take a different approach. Rather than focus on just one voice, I wanted to tell the collective story of why so many people chose to join TSA in the wake of tragedy and the years since. The result was Faces of TSA: United in Mission—a 10-minute film that brought together more than 20 interviews with senior and junior staff across the country, each sharing how 9/11 shaped their decision to serve and protect.
The Plan
To bring this nationwide story to life, I coordinated over 40 TSA media teams to conduct 60 interviews. I developed a detailed creative guide and demo video to ensure consistency in tone, framing, and content across all locations. I provided direction and feedback through email, Microsoft Teams, and phone calls, managing the project across time zones and production environments.
While the logistical complexity was greater than in past years, my focus was clear: deliver a tribute that reflected the agency’s strength through shared purpose and emotional connection to 9/11. This meant shifting the narrative from one voice to many—to show that the mission of TSA is deeply personal to countless employees across the nation.
Results
Faces of TSA: United in Mission premiered to a live audience of 300 during the in-person 9/11 ceremony, with more than 100,000 additional views online. The impact was immediate—the room was silent, the emotion palpable. Attendees were visibly moved, many brought to tears by the raw honesty and heartfelt reflections shared in the video.
Leadership praised the project for elevating the annual tradition and setting a new bar for storytelling within the agency. The piece went on to win two Gold MarCom Awards, cementing its impact as both a creative success and a meaningful tribute to those who serve.
TSA Historian Presents - Did You Know
Overview
TSA’s history is rich with stories of dedication, innovation, and resilience—but until recently, much of that history was only accessible behind the scenes. I saw an opportunity to bring it to life.
TSA Historian Presents - Did You Know is an educational video series I created to highlight the artifacts and archival work preserved by the TSA Historian team. My goal was twofold: to raise awareness of TSA’s evolution since its formation in 2001, and to spotlight the vital work the historian team does to preserve that legacy.
The idea immediately resonated. I received full support from the Historian team, and when I formally pitched the series to leadership, it was met with overwhelming enthusiasm.
The Plan
I wrote, filmed, and edited all eight episodes of the series, coordinating with the Historian team to align schedules, secure access to key artifacts, and maintain historical accuracy. Each episode averaged around six minutes and took on a friendly, educational tone—designed to be both informative and engaging for a broad audience.
The episodes were distributed internally via the TSA’s employee site and externally through the agency’s public YouTube channel, making the series accessible to both staff and the public. Every piece was crafted with care to ensure the visuals felt cinematic, while the storytelling remained approachable and clear.
Results
TSA Historian Presents went on to win three Gold MarCom Awards and a Silver Telly Award for concept and execution. But beyond the recognition, the impact was real.
Each episode received thousands of views across platforms, and perhaps most meaningfully, the Historian team reported a significant increase in artifact donations following the series’ release. Staff across the agency reached out with praise and curiosity, eager to learn more about TSA’s legacy and the stories that shaped it.
What began as an idea to highlight hidden history became a widely celebrated series that deepened engagement, boosted visibility for the Historian team, and helped preserve TSA’s story for the future.
