Justin Oberman
Encyclopedia
Justin Oberman served as a founding member and senior executive at the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), where he participated in several critical aspects of the agency’s start-up, including the hiring of 60,000 employees and taking responsibility for security at 429 airports in 12 months’ time. He was a candidate for State Treasurer of Illinois. He was formerly a candidate in Illinois's 5th congressional district special election, 2009
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Oberman currently resides in Lincoln Park
, a neighborhood on the north side of Chicago.
, was the dean of independent aldermen in the Chicago City Council
for 12 years fighting waste, fraud, and abuse and on behalf of working men and women in the city. His mother, Bonnie, leads a non-profit organization in Chicago dedicated to enhancing curriculum in our public schools and teaching our kids about the perils of prejudice and racism. His sister, Maren, is a librarian and teacher, mentoring now in the Chicago Public Schools
to help other teachers improve their skills.
Oberman earned a B.A. with High Honors from Wesleyan University
(CT) where he focused his studies on government and congressional oversight. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career at Arthur Andersen
, where he worked as a management consultant in aviation with clients in the U.S. and Europe.
's staff to lead a review of Amtrak
’s financial and operational posture.
Following the tragedy of 9/11, Oberman joined the Transportation Security Administration. From July 2003 until his departure in December 2005, Oberman was TSA’s Assistant Administrator for Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing. He was responsible for the agency’s programs that identify known or potential terrorist threats working in or seeking to access the transportation system. Oberman reported directly to the head of the TSA and ran an office of more than 125 employees with an annual budget of $150 million. The office was responsible for the following programs:
Oberman worked on a daily basis with TSA, DHS and White House executive leadership, as well as Congressional policy makers, and key outside stakeholders, such as privacy groups and labor unions. Oberman also co-chaired a working group on Homeland Security
reform for Secretary Michael Chertoff
.
’s advisory committee on homeland security. His policy work focused on transportation security, domestic intelligence, and privacy and civil liberties. Oberman also volunteered his time to travel to five states to aid in the President-Elect’s field efforts.
Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
(TSA), where he participated in several critical aspects of the agency’s start-up, including the hiring of 60,000 employees and taking responsibility for security at 429 airports in 12 months’ time. He was a candidate for State Treasurer of Illinois. He was formerly a candidate in Illinois's 5th congressional district special election, 2009
Illinois's 5th congressional district special election, 2009
A special election was held in Illinois's 5th congressional district in 2009 to fill the seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel. On April 7, Democratic nominee Michael Quigley defeated Republican nominee Rosanna Pulido and Green nominee Matt Reichel...
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Candidacy for Congress
Justin Oberman began his candidacy for Congress in November 2008 and officially withdrew his name from the race January 23, 2009. He was running for Illinois' 5th District seat, left vacant by Rahm EmanuelRahm Emanuel
Rahm Israel Emanuel is an American politician and the 55th and current Mayor of Chicago. He was formerly White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama...
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Oberman currently resides in Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park, Chicago
Lincoln Park, is one of the 77 community areas on Chicago, Illinois North Side, USA. Named after Lincoln Park, a vast park bordering Lake Michigan, the community area is anchored by the Lincoln Park Zoo and DePaul University...
, a neighborhood on the north side of Chicago.
Early Life and Family
Justin Oberman was born and raised in the 5th district, attending public schools. His father, MartyMartin J. Oberman
Martin J. Oberman served as alderman of Chicago’s 43rd Ward from 1975 until 1987. He ran for Illinois Attorney General in 1981, 1986, and again in 1994. Currently, he is a lawyer in private practice.-Early life and education:...
, was the dean of independent aldermen in the Chicago City Council
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 aldermen elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms...
for 12 years fighting waste, fraud, and abuse and on behalf of working men and women in the city. His mother, Bonnie, leads a non-profit organization in Chicago dedicated to enhancing curriculum in our public schools and teaching our kids about the perils of prejudice and racism. His sister, Maren, is a librarian and teacher, mentoring now in the Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools, commonly abbreviated as CPS by local residents and politicians and officially classified as City of Chicago School District #299 for funding and districting reasons, is a large school district that manages over 600 public elementary and high schools in Chicago, Illinois...
to help other teachers improve their skills.
Oberman earned a B.A. with High Honors from Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
(CT) where he focused his studies on government and congressional oversight. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career at Arthur Andersen
Arthur Andersen
Arthur Andersen LLP, based in Chicago, was once one of the "Big Five" accounting firms among PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young and KPMG, providing auditing, tax, and consulting services to large corporations...
, where he worked as a management consultant in aviation with clients in the U.S. and Europe.
Department of Homeland Security
In July 2001, Justin Oberman joined Transportation Secretary Norman MinetaNorman Mineta
Norman Yoshio Mineta, is a United States politician of the Democratic Party. Mineta most recently served in President George W. Bush's Cabinet as the United States Secretary of Transportation, the only Democratic Cabinet Secretary in the Bush administration...
's staff to lead a review of Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
’s financial and operational posture.
Following the tragedy of 9/11, Oberman joined the Transportation Security Administration. From July 2003 until his departure in December 2005, Oberman was TSA’s Assistant Administrator for Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing. He was responsible for the agency’s programs that identify known or potential terrorist threats working in or seeking to access the transportation system. Oberman reported directly to the head of the TSA and ran an office of more than 125 employees with an annual budget of $150 million. The office was responsible for the following programs:
- Secure Flight, a new passenger pre-screening system for domestic aviation in the United States called for by the 9/11 Commission and Congress. At full operation, the program will connect to all 63 domestic air carriers and screen more than 1.8 million travelers each day.
- Registered Traveler, a volunteer program designed to verify passengers’ identities and expedite them through security checkpoints.
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), a biometric smart card designed to cover more than 1 million workers at seaports.
- Background checks and credentials for all TSA employees and contractors, and more than five million airport workers, cockpit and cabin crews, truck drivers and general aviation pilots.
Oberman worked on a daily basis with TSA, DHS and White House executive leadership, as well as Congressional policy makers, and key outside stakeholders, such as privacy groups and labor unions. Oberman also co-chaired a working group on Homeland Security
Homeland security
Homeland security is an umbrella term for security efforts to protect states against terrorist activity. Specifically, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do...
reform for Secretary Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff was the second United States Secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush and co-author of the USA PATRIOT Act. He previously served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, as a federal prosecutor, and as assistant U.S. Attorney...
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Private Sector
In 2005, Oberman rejoined the private sector and in 2007 he co-founded NEXA Capital Partners, a specialty financial advisory firm that helps companies raise capital, and work with government agencies and industry organizations. NEXA’s clients include:- A provider of access and command and control systems to high-security government facilities;
- A manufacturer of unmanned seagoing vessels for military, civilian, and high-end commercial use;
- A fractional provider of Very Light Jets (VLJs);
- A new air service provider for intercity markets that cuts door-to-door travel times in half.
Role in Obama Campaign
In 2007, Oberman joined Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
’s advisory committee on homeland security. His policy work focused on transportation security, domestic intelligence, and privacy and civil liberties. Oberman also volunteered his time to travel to five states to aid in the President-Elect’s field efforts.
External links
- Oberman for Illinois official campaign site
- Sweet, Lynn Justin Oberman latest name in 5th District race to replace Rahm Emanuel Chicago Sun-Times, December 2, 2008
- Holder, Bill Justin Oberman ’96 Eyes House Seat The Wesleyan Connection, December 16, 2008