Theresa Coutu, Director

In 2008, Theresa Coutu joined LeighFisher as the leader of the company's Federal Practice. She is managing LeighFisher's strategic consulting contract with the Transportation Security Administration.

 Prior to joining LeighFisher, Theresa was the Director of Government Relations at GE Security.  After the acquisition of InVision Technologies (InVision) in 2004 by GE Security, Theresa represented a large portfolio of leading security products, including explosives, chemical, drug, fire, and intruder detection equipment.  She created InVision’s Government Affairs function after the terrorist events in September 2001 to expand the company’s involvement in security policy and direction in both the U.S. Congress and upper levels of the Administration.  Previously, Theresa served as Customer Relations Director for InVision Technologies, where she led the voluntary deployment of 154 explosives detection systems (EDS) at airports for screening checked baggage.  She served as key program facilitator by bringing together government, consultants, airport operators, and airline representatives to raise the security baseline without a legislative mandate or adequate federal funding.  In addition, she negotiated the sale of the only two EDS machines procured by a U.S. airport operator, managed airline accounts for service contracts, and provided a variety of other services, including marketing, contract negotiation, and industry outreach.

From 1992 to 1997, Theresa was the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), for which she served as an airport industry liaison with federal agencies in Washington, D.C. on safety, security, and technical issues.  She represented the airport industry on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee and the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, as well as many other working groups and committees established to develop new policies and standards.  As part of her role, Theresa assisted in reaching consensus among numerous airport executives to achieve industry policy positions on rulemakings and other contentious issues, fostered cooperation between the industry and the regulators, and doubled attendance at over 12 annual seminars through targeted data mining and quality program content.