Chris Rossi/The Gazette “This unwavering focus that lies in the nexus of defense and security directly aligns with my values as a professional,”

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Suzanne Petrie Liscouski was in the Pentagon that Sept. 11 when the jetliner struck.

“A plane flying into a building is not a sound you want to hear,” said Liscouski, who recently was named director of homeland security for Creative Computing Solutions. The Rockville government contractor provides program and project management services, security and information assurance and enterprise systems engineering.

“I actually thought it was a bomb at first,” she said.

Shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Liscouski got in on the ground floor of the burgeoning homeland security sector. As director for North American affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, she joined a homeland security task force and was involved in the early policy and planning stages of the U.S. Northern Command. That program consolidated existing homeland defense and civil support missions previously under various military branches.

In 2004, Liscouski joined the Department of Homeland Security, which had formed two years earlier, as director for Latin America. She was responsible for strategy, policy creation, federal and international coordination of security, and immigration policy within North America, Central and South America and the Caribbean, along with management of U.S.-Mexico border issues.

“It was one of the most intriguing jobs I’ve had,” she said. “There was no manual on how to do things. It was uncharted territory.”

Growing up in Connecticut in a family of military veterans, Liscouski was attracted to foreign affairs. She earned a bachelor’s in International Affairs from Sweet Briar College in Virginia and a master’s in foreign and defense policy from American University in Washington, D.C.

Her first job after grad school was as an intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army, primarily focusing on the Andean Ridge countries in South America. She did such good work there that she received the Superior Civilian Service Medal in 1996, the Army’s “third highest” award for employees, according to that branch.

More awards followed, and within 14 years of graduating from Sweet Briar, Liscouski was called on to give the commencement address in 2005. Subsequent commencement speakers at that college include former labor secretary Elaine Chao, Miss Manners columnist Judith Martin and PBS journalist Margaret Warner.

The class of 2005 wanted a speaker who “would make a strong impact and had vast experience in governmental affairs,” according to a statement released this week from the office of college President Jo Ellen Parker. Liscouski’s “life experiences and career choices were germane as they moved into the next phase of their lives.”

Liscouski’s other government positions included Mexico director in the White House Drug Policy Office and director for Latin American programs at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. She also worked in the private sector as business development director, international and homeland security accounts, at Northern Virginia contractor TASC.

Recruited by Creative Computing

Creative Computing Solutions formed in 1992, focusing on federal clients such as NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration. The company later branched out to work for many other federal agencies, including the departments of Veterans Affairs, Education, Defense, Agriculture and Homeland Security.

Last year, the privately held company was selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs as one of 14 prime contractors under its information technology acquisition program. The company is competing for task orders worth a total of up to $12 billion. The program consists of 15 prime contracts over five years.

CCSi has grown to 240 employees, with some 86 in Maryland.

Liscouski was called by company officials who wanted to create the new position.

“They made me an interesting offer,” Liscouski said. “I had to take advantage of it.”

She likes how CCSi is “fully dedicated” to serving its customers, as well as its professional and family environment.

“This unwavering focus that lies in the nexus of defense and security directly aligns with my values as a professional,” she said.

Liscouski’s 15-plus years of experience in the Pentagon, White House and Homeland Security were key factors in recruiting her, said Naren Bewtra, COO and president of CCSi.

“The breadth and depth of Suzanne’s experience, coupled with her passion for supporting our nation’s security, make her a perfect addition to our team as we foster our growing partnership with the Department of Homeland Security,” he said.

Liscouski became a Presidential Management fellow in 1992 and is a Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive fellow.

Even as cyber and general security threats have grown, the Homeland Security field — like most in the government — is dealing with a tighter budgetary environment, Liscouski said.

“We have to help the government do more with less,” she said.

kshay@gazette.net

Suzanne Petrie Liscouski

Position: Director of homeland security, Creative Computing Solutions, Rockville.

Previous position: Business development director, international and homeland security accounts, TASC, Chantilly, Va.

Education: Master’s in foreign and defense policy, American University, School of International Service, Washington, D.C.; bachelor’s in international affairs, Sweet Briar (Va.) College, 1991.

Residence: Northern Virginia.

Honors: White House Special Recognition Award, twice; commencement speaker, Sweet Briar College, 2005; Air Force Academy Staff Civilian of the Year, 1998; Superior Civilian Service Medal, 1996.

Family: Husband, Bob, and one child.

Hobby: Training horses to be show jumpers.