Homeland security: A magnet for talent

Steve Cooper, Ronald Miller and Patrick Schambach are just a few names that have become a regular part of the dialogue on information technology and homeland security. Like many of their peers, Cooper, Miller and Schambach have changed roles since last September's terrorist attacks.

The creation of the Office of Homeland Security in October 2001, establishment of the Transportation Security Administration last November and proposal of a new Homeland Security Department in June have plunged Washington, D.C., officials into a long game of musical chairs. A look at where key players were a year ago and where they are today:

Richard Clarke

Then — National coordinator for security, infrastructure protection and counterterrorism at the National Security Council.

Now — Special adviser to the president for cyberspace security.

Steve Cooper

Then — Chief information officer of corporate staffs and executive director of strategic information delivery at Corning Inc.

Now — Special assistant to the president, senior director for information integration and CIO at the Office of Homeland Security.

Jim Flyzik

Then — CIO at the Treasury Department.

Now — On detail to the Office of Homeland Security to advise Director Tom Ridge on IT issues.

Lee Holcomb

Then — CIO at NASA.

Now — On detail as the director of infostructure at the Office of Homeland Security.

Ronald Miller

Then — CIO at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Now — A member of the Transition Planning Office for the proposed Homeland Security Department.

Patrick Schambach

Then — Assistant director and CIO for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' Office of Science and Technology.

Now — Associate undersecretary for information and security technology and CIO at the Transportation Security Administration.

Howard Schmidt

Then — Chief security officer of Microsoft Corp.

Now — Vice chairman of the federal Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, which has focused attention on the national strategy on cybersecurity, to be released this month.