Laurence E. Buffaloe Named Aviation Security Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2002

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland International Airport has named Laurence W. Buffaloe to the newly created position of aviation security manager. Buffaloe officially assumes the position on Aug. 1, 2002.

"Larry’s extensive background in law enforcement, especially counter-terrorism, makes him well suited to assume this critical position," said Oakland International Airport Director of Aviation Steven J. Grossman. "We have much work to do relative to new security policies and procedures in the wake of Sept. 11, and Larry will take a lead role in implementing these changes."

Under administrative direction of Airport General Manager William E. Wade, Buffaloe will manage and oversee all Oakland International Airport security activities. This will include implementing all security directives and strategies in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, Oakland Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, airlines and all other airport tenants.

Since 1988, Buffaloe held the position of chief of the Law Enforcement Branch, State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. In this position, his responsibilities included maintaining and implementing the State’s Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Plan, coordinating emergency law enforcement resource requirements with county sheriffs and city police chiefs throughout the state during declared emergencies and special events; and providing emergency operations training and search and rescue management to sheriff and police department personnel. Buffaloe was also the co-chairman of the State’s Standing Committee on Terrorism.

In 1981, Buffaloe retired from the U.S. Army’s Oakland Army Base where he was the installation provost marshal with the rank of lieutenant colonel with 22 years of service.

Buffaloe holds a master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, and a bachelor of science degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the California Sheriffs’ Association (associate member), the California Peace Officers Association, the National Association for Search And Rescue, and the Morgan State University Alumni Association (Northern California Chapter).

Oakland International Airport served 11.4 million passengers and handled more than 600,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2001. Oakland International has more than 200 flights a day on 13 domestic and international carriers to 34 nonstop destinations, including the Hawaiian Islands, the New York area, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Mexico. The airport is a revenue division of the Port of Oakland.