A former mayor of Los Alamitos has finally been sworn in as the Chief Finance Officer of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Washington.
President Donald Trump nominated Troy D. Edgar for the post more than a year ago, but his nomination was only approved by the U.S. Senate two weeks ago. Edgar was sworn in by U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolfe a shortly thereafter.
While awaiting his Senate approval, however, Edgar had served as DHS associate deputy undersecretary for management.
As CFO, Edgar now assumes the management of a $92 billion Homeland Security budget, which he said includes the operational aduiting of several integrated agencies and programs.
Edgar said in an interview that the department has approximately 250,000 employees, most of whom are still working from home.
Though still getting accustomed to the new office, Edgar said because of COVID-19, he’s been working seven days a week and will likely continue to do so.
“Right now, it’s a bit of an operational challenge,” said Edgar, adding that his office also has audit and oversight responsibility for other government agencies.
The complexities of the various agencies in his government portfolio, said Edgar, makes decision making a huge undertaking. “I’m getting accustomed to the magnitude of the challenges,” he said.
Before entering government, Edgar operated Global Conductor, a business consulting firm that he said prepared him well for his current position.
Edgar said he has offices in the DHS complex in Washington and a smaller office near the U.S. Capitol. Most of the financial tasks are attached to Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli’s office, said Edgar.
“I am very proud to be able to serve the President in this capacity,” he added.
“My background prepared me for it,” said Edgar, though he said he still makes it back often to California.
“Los Alamitos is still my home base,” said Edgar, adding that his wife Betty still teaches school.
Edgar first appeared on the President’s radar when, as mayor, Los Alamitos declared itself exempt from SB54. He then visited the White House with other Orange County officials.
Ironically, he was sworn into office the day after the city of Los Alamitos voted to surrender the anti-Sanctuary City fight, agreeing to settle a lawsuit filed by the ACLU.
Edgar said he had not kept up with the city’s actions but that he “was still proud” of the fact that Los Alamitos “stood up for our independence.”
